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1 by Google
HISTORY OF
MONROE COUNTY
MICHIGAN
A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress,
its People, and its Principal Interests
BY
JOHN McClelland bulkley
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO NEW YORK
I913
1 by Google
1 by Google
INTRODUCTION
The early history of Monroe county is closely linked with that of
Canada and the New England colonies ; since it was from these two inter-
esting localities that our hardy pioneers came, the impress of whose
strong characters and personalities were so indelibly left upon the
affairs and events of the community from its earliest records as to be
felt to the present day.
The story of their experiences and exploits presents an example of
fortitude, persevering industry, patriotism and zeal that might well
be, as it has been emulated in the lives and efforts of those who have
been and are still identified with the growth of all that relates to its
civil and religious activities. This being the case, is it not logical and
desirable that we begin with a consideration of the earliest attempts of
the adventurous people who first visited these shores ?
There is no more interesting or absorbing tale in the annals of man-
kind than that which is embodied in the story of the early French mis-
sionaries and adventurers, and later of the pioneers from New England
and their explorations and settlement of the northwest; its tragedies,
its sacrifices, its incredible hardships, its memorable and desperate con-
flicts in the subjugation of nature, often illumined by heroic and ro^
mantic episodes, and their final domination of and triumph over appar-
ently insurmountable obstacles and difficulties which beset and
rounded every league of their pathway.
It is impossible to think of a country founded by such men as
becoming anything else than great, powerful, indomitable, so long as it
adhered to the principles, the virtues, the spirit of these men. Much of
the greatne^ of this nation is due to the ideals of its founders.
However one may yield to the fascinating records and narratives of
classic lands and the myths of the Greeks and the Scandinavians, or
pause In amazement at the astonishing advancements of civilization in
the last half century and its marvelous achievements, he will in none of
these discover events more compelling in continuity of interest, than those
which are contained in the history of the three centuries, which embraces
the settlement and civilization of the North American continent. The
astonishing and bewildering diversity and variations of the current of
the life of that period offers the richest material, not only for the historian,
but as well for artist, philosopher and poet. There is not a decade that
is not exciting, romantic and inspiring. The riehne^ of the early days
in New France, when feudal barons were transplanted from Europe
mingling with the copper- skinned Indians and black-robed priests, con-
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iv TNTRODUOTION
trast strangely with the sombre beginnings of civilized life in the Amer-
ican colonies, and the intrepid colonists' struggles for safe independence
of thought and action in religious affairs and their sacrifices to maintain
it, present a picture unrivalled in the history of the world.
If Ventadour's connection with the history of New France meant
nothing else but the fact that he was responsible for the entrance of the
Jesuits, he would be illustrious; without them the chronicles of the
new world would lose many of their most astonishing chapters. Here
were examples of true martyrdom, stories of which we today cannot
read without the deepest admiration and emotion.
The writing of history differs radically from all other literary occu-
pations, involving, as it does, the labor of research in quest of necessary
data, and in the verification of records and statements, which, though
they may possibly occupy but little space on the printed page, must,
to possess value, be correct. History indeed depends, for its value pre-
eminently upon its accuracy; alleged facta, hastily collected, carelessly
or indifferently thrown together without confirmation are obviously of
no real value to the seeker after information, but pernicious and mis-
leading. Realizing the truth of this, the author has endeavored to
avoid misconceptions and errors by carefully scrutinizing everything
that enters into this history, and confirming, so far as possible, all
statements of facts and chronicles of important events.
Legendary lore and tradition, in which our state richly abounds,
receives a liberal share of attention, and in such form as will, it is hoped,
prove attractive and interesting, and of assistance in reaching a proper
understanding of the characteristics and environments of both the savage
and the white man.
Any history of a community or of its people would lack one of its
most interesting and attractive features which omits personal character-
istics and individualism. Reminiscences of every community reveal facts,
impressions and experiences of intense human interest, which should add
greatly to the value and enlivening detail of a history of the people and
times of which it treats. For this feature of these annals of Monroe
county the author has been most fortunate in discovering a fund of
material, which it is hoped will contribute a measure of readableness and
pleasure to the story of the early days, as well as affording an insight
into the business and social customs of our ancestors, as a component
part of the history of the time in which they lived and flourished. Fol-
lowing this plan, and in order to make the work a well balanced one,
the author has invited historical facts, sketches, narratives, personal remi-
niscences, photographs, views and portraits from his fellow citizens
which, with personal interviews, form entertaining chapters of the work.
He wishes in this connection to make grateful acknowledgment, for
courtesies and valuable information, as well as for personal sketches,
letters and manuscript from a large number of personal friends who
have exhibited a most cordial and gratifying interest in the preparation
of this work. References have been made to all available collections and
historical \vritings bearing upon this history.
He mentions with great pleasure the facilities afforded by the mag-
nificent librarv of Americana owned by Hon. Clarence M. Burton, of
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INTRODUCTION v
Detroit, probably one of the most extensive and rare historical col-
lections of American and Prencb manuscripts and printed volumes in
this country ; the manuscripts and published vfritings of Gen. Lewis Cass,
than whom none was more familiar with the early history of Michigan,
or took more intelligent action as a leader and participator in the devel-
opment of its immense resources; the histories of the experiences of
early missionaries, gained from the Jesuit Relations, church records,
histories and various other sources, of most thrilling interest ; the pub-
lished writings of Henry R. Schoolcraft, who passed many years among
the Indians, studying their customs and habits, their mythology and
their failings, an undoubted and accepted authority in all such matters ;
the journals and diaries of Charlevoix, of Champlain, LaSalle, etc.;
Francis Parkman's voluminous works; "The Northwest Under Three
Flags," by Mr. Charles Moore; "The "War of 1812," by Major James
Ricliardson, of the British Army in America ; papers and documents of
the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society; the Canadian Archives at
Ottawa; Emory "Wendell's "History of Banking, Banks, and Bankers
of Michigan;" Judge J. V. Campbell's "Outline of Political History
of Michigan" and Fanner's "History of Michigan."
To the courtesy of lion. Fred'k C. Martindale, secretary of state;
Charles Lanman, a famous historian; Mr, Herbert Bowen, attor-
ney of Detroit; and to Mr. Charles R. "Wing, associate editor with his
father, T. E. "Wing, of an earlier history of Monroe county, for courtesies
in the consultation of important war records; to the newspaper press of
Monroe; to Mr. Geo. B. Biffenbaugh, for Masonic memoranda; to Prof.
R. C. Allen, difrctor ol' the Michigan Geological and Biolouical Survey;
to all these and many more, acknowledgments are made for interesting
and valuable assistance.
John M. J^ijlkley.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
UNDER THREE POWERS
Castier and Champlain — Martybdom op the Jesuit Fathers — The
Wtandottes (Neutral Nation) — Joliet, Marquette and LaSalle
— Detroit, the Key to Supremact — Outagamies Threaten French
Colony — Detroit Falls to the British — -Pontiac's Conspiracy —
Siege op Fort Detroit. 1
CHAPTER II
PONTIAC, THE GREAT OTTAWA
Character of the Indian Leader — His Ambitious Plan— The Attack
on Detroit— The Conspiracy Thwarted — When Death Hovered
— The Red Men Depart — Major Gladwin's Position— Death op
Major Campbell — Indians Capture Relief Expedition — Massacre
AT "Bloody Run"— Pontiac Raises the Siege — Byrd and Clark
Expedition — -Posts Pass into American Hands. 16
CHAPTER in
INDIAN HISTORY AND LEGENDS
Legendary Lore — Schoolcraft and His Indian Wipe — Irish-Indian
Romance^The Red Man's Fairies and Brownies — Superstitions
OP Early Settlers — Worship o? the Great Spirit — Tradition op
THE Sacred Fire — Fading of the Michigan Pottawatamies— Visit
to Chief Chenagar — Driving the Miamis — Last Battle at Tippe-
canoe. 26
CHAPTER IV
WESTERN PIONEERS OF NEW FRANCE
French Seamen- — French Colonists — Pbench Indian Pur Trade —
Fair Dealings With the Indians — The Wood Rangers — Visitors
to Upper Lake Region — Missions and Settlements— English In-
trude Into Northern Fur Country — Detroit, an English Check
— Land Grants — Solid French Buildings — Early French Indus-
tries— Legend op the Old Fear Trees — The French in the Pon-
tiac War — Social Traits. 33
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CHAPTER V
RANGERS BY LAND AND WATER
La Hontan's "Coureub db Bois" — Described by the Missionabv
— The Vendor of Strong Drink — Regulation op the Coueeur
— He Speaks foe Himself — Did Nature Call Him? — Sieue Dv
Lhdt — The French Voyageur — The Unique Batteau — The
Birch Canoe — The "Dug Out" and Pirogue — -The Hudson Bay
Company — Monroe County as a Game Region^ — Charlevoix's
Desceiption — Hennepin's Record 4u
CHAPTER VI
THE BATTLE OF PRENCHTOWN
British Forces Leave Amiierstburg — Rout of the Americans — Ap-
pearance OF Prisoners— Major Richardson's Narrative — Colonel
Proctob's Report — Facts About the Battle— General "Win-
chester's Report — Account of Hon. Laurent Durocher — Harri-
son to Shelby — Harrison Takes the Field — Tecumseh, the Great
Shawnee. 57
CHAPTER VII
KENTUCKIANS DESCRIBE BATTLE
Darnell's "Journal" Commences — March to Join Huli,— Harrison
Enthusiastically Received— Serious Shortage of Provisions —
Fort Winchester Completed — American Soldiers on the March
—News of Britisi[ and Indians — Kentuckians Scaee Big Injun^
After the First Battle of Prenchtown^Cause of Later De-
feat— Attacked by the Enemy — Kentuckians Chagrined at
Surrender— The Surrender— Indian Outrages — -Bbitish Peom-
iSEs Violated — Narrative of Timothy Mallary— A Poem of the
Battle. 72
CHAPTER VIII
WAR OF 1812
Surrender op Detroit — American Soldiers March for Detroit —
Army Surrenders to British Handful — Bombardment op Detroit
— The Fort Surrendered — Patriotism Fully Aroused — Colonel
Cass Breaks Sword Rather Than Give It Up— British Indian
Alliance — River Raisin Massacre — Canadian Comments on
Hull's Sureendee— Hull Court-Martialed — From a Private
Viewpoint — British Change of Base. 87
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CHAPTER IX
BATTLE OF MORAVIAN TOWN
Proctor Opposed by Tecumseh — Concentr.ite at Moravian Town—
"Remember the ILusin" — Harrison Overtakes Pboctok — Ameri-
cans Break the British Line — Dkath of Tecumseh — A Mortifying
Defeat— Trophies ani> T'risoners — Resci^t of Battle and Tf:cuM-
seh's Death. 103
CHAPTER X
THE BATTLE OP LAKE ERIE
A View from "The Other Side" — British Flag Ship Opens Battle —
Crippled British Fleet — From Perry's Official Report — Ferry's
Squadron in^ Action — Barclay's Squadron in Action. 109
CHAPTER XI
STABLE OOVERNMENT
Lewis Cass and His Responsibilities— British and Indian Aggres-
sions Checked — More People Wanted — ^American Land System
Established — Means op Transportation Improved — Horner Suc-
ceeds Stevens as Governor — Representative Government Voted
Down— Extinguishment of Indian Title — The Cass Indian Ex-
pedition— Territorial and State Seals and JIottoes 114
CHAPTER Xil
VETERANS OP THE WAR OP 1812
Preliminary Gathering on Guyor's Island— Veterans Present —
Formal Reunion July 4, 1872 — Interesting and Impressive Pro-
ceedings— Roll Call of Veterans — Response of General Leslie
Combs— Michigan 's Later Tribute to Kentucky — The Legend op
THE Old Cannon, 126
CHAPTER XIII
THE TOLEDO WAR
Ohio-Michigan Boundary Dispute — Michigan as a Territory — Ohio
Sets Up Claim — Michigan Takes Her Stand— Port Lawrence
Township Upholds Mason^State Forces Threaten to Clash —
The Amusing Side— Fall op Military Leader — Justices Divide
Territory — Narrative by an Actor — Contribution to Brown's
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X CONTENTS
Army— Michigan Rejects Olive Branch — Washington Again
Upholds Micihgan — Ohio Boundary Commissioners Routed —
Ohio's Official Pronunciamento — Michigan Undaunted— The
Bloodshed-^Shaleb Succeeds Mason— Ohio Getting Even With
Uncle Sam- — Michigan Admitted to the Union — Military Orders
— Mason Governor op New State. 137
CHAPTER XIV
THE PATRIOT WAR
Leaders op the Rebellion— Conciliation Attempted^ — Clashes and
Collapse— Upper Canada Troubles — Monroe County "Exer-
cised"— Battle op Pointe au Pei-ee. ]62
CHAPTER XV
THE BLACK HAWK WAR
Black Hawk Crosses the Mississippi— Opposed by Tbebitorial Vol-
unteers—Black Hawk Captured— Another Account op the
War. 167
CHAPTER XVI
IN THE MEXICAN WAR
Rupture over Texas — United States Claims Unsettled — ^Amekican
Troops Move to the Frontier — War Declared— Response op
Michigan and Monroe County— Soldiers from Monroe County.
170
CHAPTER XVII
THE CIVIL WAR
First War Meetings in County — The Smh'h Guards of BIonkoe —
List op Volunteers — Total Enlistments in County — Fourth
Michigan Infantry — Seventh Regiment— Enlistment op July,
1862— ^Mulligan (Fifteenth) Regiment— The Seventeenth
(Stonewall) Regiment — Eighteenth Michigan Infantry — The
Grand Ajmy op the Republic. 175
CHAPTER XVIII
MILITARY AND CUSTER MONUMENT
The Old City Guard— Monroe Light Guard— Company K, First
Infantry M. N. G. — ^The Armory — Railroad Strikes — Spanish-
American War — Personnel op the Monroe Light Guard— George
Alford, Revolutionary Soldier — Major General George Arm-
strong CusTEit — Doing Honor to Monroe's Hero — History op the
Monument — President Taft's Address — The Official Programme
227
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CHAPTER XIX
COUNTY ORGANIZATION
OHiGiN.tL Titles to Lands — Original Creating Act — Immediate Cause
OP Organization — 1805, an Eventful Year — Period op Civil Unrest
— County Seat Established — Finances and Financiers — The Old
Court House— Early Legal Appaibs — Monroe County Farm and
Lvfirmaky 245
CHAPTER XX
BENCH AND BAR
The Territokiai, Period and Beyond — Legal "N'otis" — Baely Mem-
bers of the Monroe Bar — Hon. Robert McClelland — Hon.
Alpheus Felch— Hon. "Warner Wino — Hon. David Addison Noble
— Hon. Wolcott Lawrence— Hon. Jefferson G. Thurser — ,Tames
Q. Adams — Gouverneub Morris — Talcott E. Wing. 255
CHAPTER XXI
GEOLOGY OF MONROE COUNTY
Earliest Inhabitant — Prehistoric Remains Near Big Pkaiuie —
Scientific Study op Limestones — Work of State Survey — Roads
and Road Metal — Stone and Stone Crushing — The Woolwith
Quabries^Raisinville Quarries — Ida Quarries — IjIttle Sink
QujVRRY — Ottawa Lake Quarries — Newport Quarries — The
Frenciitown Quarries — The Stone Business of Monroe — Monroe
Stone Company— Monroe Quarries— LaSalle Quarries — Bedford
Quarries — Whitefoed Quarries. 265
CHAPTER XXII
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
Climate op Monroe County — Contour op the t!o(jNTY— Elevations
AViTiHN THE County — Surface Drainage — I'icture op the Ei\'ek
Raisin — Macon and Saline Rivers — The Huron and Other
Streams — Underground Drainage. 287
CHAPTER XXIII
ANIMALS, BIRDS AND PISHES
Muskrat Lore — The Beaver — Most Common Varieties op Birds —
Lake and Marsh Birds — The Duck Family — The Wild Turkey
AND Its Ways — The Bald Headed Eagle — The Passenger Pigeon
—The German Carp— The Sturgeon. 301
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xii CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXIV
NATURAL PRODUCTS
Eahly Teuls of Agriculture — Soils and Subsoils — -Fruit Growing
Favored — Old French Pear Trees — Farm Products — Statistics
FOR 1910 — Beet Sugar Industry^ Timber Growth and Conserva-
tion— Improvement of Soils — ^Natural Gas and Oil— Miner,\l
Springs — Marl Beds — Farmers' Fences — General Statistics. 312
CHAPTER XXV
OLD ROADS AND TRAILS
The Old-Time Concord Coach — Monroe C'oaciies and Routes^The
"Taverns" — Main Traveled Roads — Famous Stage Drivers —
Pioneer Roadside Tavjjen — Troubixjus Days of Travel — "United
States Hotel" — "Mukphy House" — Macomb Street House- —
Mails and Mail Carriers. 328
CHAPTER XXVI
BANKS AND BANKING
Early Irresponsible Banks — A Detroit Bank op Discount — Bank
op Detroit Crk^ted — "Something Irregular" in Detroit — Penal-
ties FOR Unauthorized Banking — Bank of Michigan Incorporated
— Bank of Monroe — The Maubeee Bank of BIanhattan — Wildcat
Banking and Banks — Bad Land Reports — Effect op Erie Canai-
Opening — Craze for Internal Improvements — Bank op Brest —
Rapid Circulation of Specie — Muster Roll op "Wildcats"—
Work op Bank Examiners — For Circulation in the Confederacy
— Amusing and Surprising — Federal Bankrupt Law — State
Curbs on Speculation — To Restrain Wild Banking— Wool and
Wheat Markets — Bank of River Raisin Continued— The Act of
1857— First Telegraph Well Used — First National Bank — Mon-
roe State Savings Bank. 339
CHAPTER XXVII
CRIMES AGAINST BANKS
The Bank op River Raisin — The Criminal — The Cashier — First
Advances in Plot — Attempted Murder — Would-Be Murdbeeb
Sentenced— Cashier Recovers — First National Burglary and
Bobbery — Burolaey of La Fountain & Loranger Bank 357
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CONTENTS xiii
CHAPTER XXVIII
COMMERCIAL DEPRESSIONS
Dei'bessions of 1819-22 — Revivals of 1824 and 1827 — Wild-Cat
Schemes and Panic op 1837 — "Ups and Downs (1839-56) — ^Panic
OP 1857 — Periods of Commercial Depressions. 362
CHAPTER XXIX
HARBOR AND TRANSPORTATION
Railroads Tkaveesing the County — First Northwestern Railroad
Operated— The Michigan Southern Railroad — Brie and Kalama-
zoo Railroad Company Incorporated — Fourth Year op Michigan
Southern — Railroad Under "Way at Last (Detroit , Monroe,
Adrian)— Detroit and Chicago — Maumee Branch Railroad Com-
pany—River Raisin and Grand River Railroad — Manhattan and
Havre Railroad — La Plaisance Bay Harbor Company — Northern
Division op the Detroit, Monroe and Toledo — La Plaisance Bay —
The Ship Canal — The Transportation Business for 1912. 365
CHAPTER XXX
INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE
Sta[{t op JIonroe Nurseries-— French Pears and Applis — Trees
Planted Soon After War of 1812 — First Permanent Nursery
Business- — The Mutual and Michigan Nurseries — A Monroe
Woman Founds Canning Industry— The Pishing Industry— Mon-
roe County Fisheries — -Commercial Fishing — Fishing not All
Profit — Winter Sports on the Ice — Exportation op Cattle and
Hogs — Flouk Mills — The Amendt Milling Company — Waterloo
Roller Mills— -Boehme & Rauch Company — Weis Manufacturing
Company— Monroe Binder Board Company — River Raisin Paper
('ompany — Elkhart Manufacturing Company— Monroe Glass
Company — Monroe Woolen Mill — Monroe Foundry and Furnace
Company. 383
CHAPTER XXXI
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS
■'Michigan Sentinel," by Edward D. Ellis — Monroe "Journal and
Commercial"— Whig Organs— The "Monroe Commercial" Again
Monroe "Democrat"— Unsuccessful Ventures— Monroe "Rec-
ord-Commercial"— Outside op Monroe 403
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CHAPTER XXXIl
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
The County Society-^Drs. Joseph Dazet, Luthee Parker, Robert G.
Clarke and George Landon — The Country Doctor in Verse —
Drs. Ei'heaim Adams and Alfred I. Sawyer — James Q. Adams 411
CHAPTER XXXIII
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
Catholepistemiad (University op Michigan) — University BiLiNCHES
— District Schools— Pikst Monroe Union School— Private
Schools — Boys' and Young Men's Academy — Monroe Young
Ladies' Seminary — Rose Cottage Home Schooi.. — "Crowning of
THE May Queen." 416
CHAPTER XXXIV
RELIGIOUS HISTORY
The Catholic Priests of New France— First Protestant Preac;iiers
— Coming of the Jesuits — Catholic Mission, the First Church —
, Centennial Anniversary Celebrated — St. Mart's Church Dedi-
cated— Gabriel Richard, Priest and Congressman — History op
St. Mary's Church^St. John's Church — St. Mich,vel's Church
St. Michael's Commandery — Knights of St. John — St. Patrick's
Church of Exeter Township— St. Joseph's Church, Erie —
Protestant Churches of Monroe County — First Presbyterian
Church op Monroe — Second Presbyterian Chuecii — Church
Re-united— Church op 1846 Built — First Presbyterian Church
OP La Salle — Raisinville Congreg.vtional Church Disbanded —
St. Pai7L's Methodist Episcopal Church — Trinity Eiiscopal
Church — Trinity Lutheran Church — The First Baptist Church
op Monroe — Evangelical Association of Monroe County—Young
People's Alliance Memorial (Evangelical) Church op Monroe
Christian Science Church — The Monroe County Bible Society
— The Altenheim (Old Folks' Home) — Monroe Home for Blind
Babies and General Hospital. 425
CHAPTER XXXV
THE MASONS AND ODD FELLOWS
RLvsONEY IN Michigan—Monroe's First Grand Lodge — First Local
Ijodge — First Worthy Master, Seneca Allen^Monroe Lodge No.
27 — Dundee Lodge No. 74 — Monroe Commandery No. 5, No. 4 and
No. 19 — Royal Arch Masons — Lodges Outside the City — Honors
TO Monroe Masons— First Odd Fellows Lodge — Lincoln Lodge
No. 190, I. 0. 0. F. 451
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CHAPTER XXXVI
CHIEFLY SOCIAL AND SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS
Establishment of Social Clubs — The 0. L. Club — Two Famous
Sportsmen's Clubs {from "Field and Stream," by Frank Hey-
wood) — GoLo Club Organized-^The Monroe Marsh Club — Mon-
roe Yacht Club — The German Wobkingmen's Association —
Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company op Monroe and
"Wayne Counties. 458
CHAPTER XXXVII
CIVIC AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
"Work of the Police — Question of Water Supply — Streets, Parks
and Bridges — Live Stock and Light — The Libraries of Monroe—
JUonkoe Historical and Libraey Association— The Civic Improve-
ment Society (By Mrs. W. Van Miller)— The New Government
Post Office 469
CHAPTER XXXVIII
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES
First Township Laws — Five Townships Organized — First Settlers-
Veteran Surveyors — Migrating "on the Bias" — -Frenchtown
—Townships op Summerpield, Ash, Exeter, Bedford, Dundee,
Raisinville and Ida — -Township op Milan and the Great Macon
Drain — Townships op London, Whiteford, JIonroe, Ija Salle,
Berlin and Erie — Township Supervisors (1912). 481
CHAPTER XXXIX
PIONEER DOMESTIC LIFE
Sugar Making by Indiana and Pioneers — Old- Time Domestic Hearth
— Cook Stove as a Cufiio — Lights — Wives Making Their Own
Candles — Tin Lamps Evolved — Making Soft Soap — Basket Mak-
ing BY THE Indi.\ns — Tkue Medicine Men— Wool and Homespun
Ci/yrii — New Year's Calls in 1836. 495
CHAPTER XL
FRENCH AND YANKEE PIONEERS
Col. Francis Navarre — Robert F, Navarre— Joseph G. Navaere —
Peter Navarre, the Scout— Charles Hivon — His Story op the
Frenchtown Massacre — Nimble French Wits — Colonel Hubert
La Croix — The La Croix Manor House — Felix Metty — John B.
Sanceaint — Captain Luther Hakvey — A Master Commissary^
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xvi CONTENTS
Despite Harbison, Pbovisions Saved — At the Battle op Lake Ekie
— General Levi S. Humphrey— Henry Disbrow, Pioneer —
Colonel Oliver Johnson— Major Gershom Taintor Bulkley —
Captain A. D. Perkins — Captain George W. Strong— Thomas G.
Cole — Colonel John Anderson — Daniel S. Bacon— Walter P.
Clarke — Joseph B. Gale. 502
CHAPTER XLI
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
Tndian Deed to Site op Monroe— The Legend op the Floral City —
From First Monroe Newspaper — Monroe and the Valley in 1833
— Arcadian Picture op Monroe (Lanm an)— Whipping Post Used
IN Monroe — Horse Thieves and Their Cure — Target Shooting
AND Shooters — Shipwreck and Legend op the " Favorite "—Brest
and Newport-— New Dublin and "Waterloo — Incorporated Vil-
lages (Census of 1910)— Population (1810-1910). 534
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INDEX
A iioinem- ih bois of ttic old n-^
(l>ortrait). 50.
Acwmiit of Iloiioi-abI,. Laurent 1
ot-hcr. 64.
AcktT, William F.. 7C6.
Aft of ISST, a53.
Ailume. ]-:pIiraini, 4l:i.
AdiuiiH, James Q., 3G2.
Advprti semen t of tlio Centra] load. .
AftiT tllc first battle of Frenelitii
Agritnltiire. 312.
A;;r it-Ill til ral statistics for lillO. Ill
Aiston. Albeit A., 72S.
Alcock, ThoinaH C 80;!.
Alford, (leorfje, llevoliiti unary soli
2:1:1.
Allen. Kdward A.. 713.
Alteiilieim (Old Folks' Home). Tbe, 448.
Altitudes of milroad stations. 20:i.
Ann'ndt Milling Company. H08.
Ainericiina break the British line,
Anieriean soldiers on the mareh. T-'i
American soldiers inarcli for Detroit,
American system, 34fi.
Amiierstburg. 58.
Amusing aide of lioimdary dispute. 140.
Ancient French pear trees (view), 41.
Anderson, Colonel John, l>30.
An early day voyagenr and guide (]ior
trait), 50.
Angerer, Charles, 591.
Angerer, Charles, Jr., 591.
Animals, birds and ftshes, 301.
Ann Ai-bor R. 11.. 366.
Annual muskrat banquet, 'MVi.
An old French homestead (view), a4.
An old-time mail coach (view). :vi9.
Anotliei' account of the Blaek Ilanh
war. 168.
Ansted, Solomon. 778.
Appearance of tlie prisoners cairtured nl
Frenehtown, 59.
Arcadian picture of Monroe (Lanman)
.\rmory Association. 328.
Armory, 'ITie, 328.
Army surrenders to Britisli handful, 88.
Artesian wells, 324.
Ash township, mention, 350, 484; farm
statistics, :137; organized, 484; first
election, 484; supervisor (1913), 494.
Attacked by the enemy, 79.
Attempti'd murder of twink casliier. 358.
Austin, Henry R,. 091.
Auten. Alansou, 711.
Average monthly tem])erature and pre-
cipitation, 187'l to 1909. 388.
Bacon. Daniel S., 53],
Bad land reports, 34:>. '
Baier, Andrew. 879.
Baier. Walter. 88;i.
Baird, Nelson D., 754,
Baker, Bert S„ 033.
Bald-headed eagle. ItA.
Bank examiner's work. 347.
Bank of Brest. :)45.
Bank of Detroit created, 340.
Bank of Manhattan. 342.
Bank of Michigan incorporated, 342.
Bank of Monroe, 342.
Bank of River Raisin, 350, 352.
Bank nf River Raisin, Monroe (1836)
(vi
Bank of River Raisin tragedy, 35T.
Banks and bankinjj;. 339.
Bannmilter, John, 73G.
Barclay's squadron in aettoii. 113.
Barnes, Linn, 701,
Barry, David S., 793,
Barry, James F.. 614.
Barry, James V., 792.
Bartow, George W.. 783.
Basket making by tbe Indians. 499.
Battle of Fienchtown, 57.
Battle of Lake Erie. 109, 515.
Battle of Moravian Town. 103.
Battle of Pointe an I'elee, 164.
Rattle of River Raisin. 83, 86.
Beauharnais, Governor ncueral, 39.
Hosted by Google
XVIU
Beaver, 303.
Beck, Henry J,, 957.
Becker, Andrew W., 683.
Bed of Ottawa Sink (a disap|)earing
lake) (view), 376.
Bedford quarries, 285.
Bedford township, mention, 250. 485 ;
farm statistics, 327; township officers.
485; organized, 485; first election,
485; first , settler, 485; physical
geography, '486; Bnperviaor (1913),
494.
Beet sugar industry, 1130.
Beitelspacher, F. C, 599.
Bell, Lachlin J., 700.
Bench and bar, 355.
Berlin township, mention, 350, 493; farm
statistics, 327; organized, 493; first
election, 493; first settler, 49^; super-
visor (1913), 494.
Berry, Charle* A., 611.
Berthelote, Victor J., 913.
Birch canoe, 51,
Bird^ of tlie connty, 305.
Big Sink, 397.
Black Hawk, 30, 167; captured, 167;
crosses the Mississif)pi, Il>7.
Bhick Hawk war, 167.
Bloodshed, 154.
, :i98.
79.
Boehme, Mary, 581.
Bombardment of Detroit. ^)1.
Bond farms, 280.
Bond. I.«wi8 W., 006.
Bocdine, George H, 58J.
Bouche, -lohn, 337,
Boucher. Jean (portrait). 50.
Boundary dispute. 137.
Bowser, Howard IT., 830.
Boys' and Young Men's Academy.
Brackett, William H.. 799.
Brads treet, Oenernl, 22, 23.
Bragdoii, Alonao B., 973.
Brest an<l Newport, 549.
Brewer, Vernon C, 771.
Bridges of Monroe 474
Bnghtbill Mehin B 7~~
Briti'^h and Indian aggri scions ihci
115
British change ot Iwise 100
British flag ship opens itittle IJ(
British fories lei^e Amhcrsitburf.
British Indian alliance li
British occupation closed 103
British plan of Battle oi Ri\er Kj
Tanuar> 23 1813 (map) 5f
British promises violated 83
Bronson John P, 970
Brown, Bolph, 887.
Bruckner, William T., 798.
Brunt, Frank G., 814.
Bulkley, John M., 1022.
Bulkley Harry C "89
Buiglary and robberj Firat Vational
Bink 359
Burglary of La Fountain iS. 1 oianger
Bank 361
Bu^ea tred L 866
Byrd and Clark t\pfdifioiii
Byrd Captain 33
Oidiliac De la Mcithe " 7
( adillac LaMotte 34b
( ampbell ludge oration of 1*9
Campbell Major 14 death of 20.
Campbell Minor A 719
Campbell Sam P 722
Canadinn comments on Hull a surrender,
99
Candee family, of ^Vliiteford toiviisbip,
491.
Canning industry, 387.
Carr, George, 816.
Carroll, James' B„ 634.
Carroll, Thomas H., 648,
Cartier and Champlain, 1.
Cartier, Jacques, 1.
Cass Guards, 227.
Cass Indian Expedition, 121.
Cass, I^wis, 10.5, 114. 116, 122, 143.
346, 249.
Cass, Lewis, and his responsibilities.
gani, 416.
CatliolLc mission, tiie first cbuiyb. 42(i,
Catholic missionaries, 4,
Catholic priests of New France, 43.).
Cause of later defeat, 78.
Ceas, Edward E., 714.
Centennial anniversary of first clinrcli,
437.
Central Railroad Mail Line, 373,
('bam plain, 3.
Chapman, Austin B., 60S.
"Charlevoix's Travels," 54.
Chenager, Chief, visit to, 30,
Choate, Cliarles S., Jr., 873.
Christian Science chnrcli, 447.
Ohristianoy quarry, 369.
Circulation in tlie Confederacy of wild-
cat money, 349.
Circuit court, 255.
"Citizen," 407.
City Guards, 108.
Civic and public institutions, 469.
Civic Improvement Society, 477.
Civil war, 175.
Clampitt, Fred. 886.
Clark. George Rogers, 34. 313.
Clarke, Robert G., 413.
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Clarke, Walter P., 532.
Climate if Monroe county, 387.
Cole, Tliomas G., 5S9.
Combs, Gen. Leslie, of Kentucky (por-
trait), 133.
Coniiuj^ of the 'Jesuits, 426,
Commei'cial depressions, 36S.
Commercial fishing, 389.
Company K, First Infantry, 11. X. C,
228.
Cotiant, Harry A., 775.
Concentrate at Moravian Town, l();"i.
Conaear, Fred T., 890.
Contour of the county, 291.
Contrihution to Browne army 1+8
Cook stove aa a curio 4J
Cooke Jacob 973
( oote Charles 587
CoppemoH Fliza 4 599
Coppernoll Oeor^e J 598
Council proceedings 18 j" 474
Country lotfor in veise 412
County >arm and Infirmary Sat
( •mnt^ lufirmarv {van ) 3j3
( ountj lands foi solliers 11
tounty of Monroe established 241
Counts oiganization 245
iA untv seat eatabliahod 241)
Coureur de Bois inintion 43 45 46,
IT" deaciiheil by the missioiian 4G;
epilation of tin 47 sponks for
hii
-elf
CoiiKui de Bens (portrait) 44
Courthouse Monroe (>ii"l 244
(ouit of Common I'leas orsam/t
44
tuiillP Tji^eph 8bl
(limes agiinst bunks 1
(iippi d ]liitish fleit 111)
Cion Ott.) TT 932
(.1011 lei M T 95"
< roll mug of the May quetii (18 iS) ii .
Custer Mrs fcli7ibe)h B 240
Cu-ftu fliailxtU 1! (portiait) 312
(usttr Mij (.en (.eoige \ I'd 3n.
(uster M,n<en (.ooi^'e \ (jioitrait).
333
Cnstei iiKuional Alonioe
(lien) '>40
tustei moniiimnt at « s
t Point Mill
tarv Ac-adtmv 318
( II 'it PI \itionil Moiium i
t \ itior
Diiiiels Chestei % 7K
Dansard l^njarain SQQ
llanaard Ben^amiu Tr j58
Hansard Be)i]ainin Si 55"
Dan Hard Boyez 6 A3
Diusanl B iind Sims Bank 155
Darnel] s Tournal 72
Dasseau, Silas \ , 8Bj
Dazet, Joseph, 411.
Death of Tecuraseh, 106.
de Breboeuf, Father Jean, 3.
de Cham plain, Samuel, 36.
de La Salle, Robert, 6.
Dennison, Martin, T12.
Denton. Charles E., 720.
Depressions of 1810-33, 363.
Detroit an English check, 30.
Detroit & Lima Northern R. R., 366.
Detroit & Toledo Shore Line, 30j.
Detroit bank of discount, 340.
Detroit falls to the British, 10.
Detroit surrendered, 92.
Detroit, tlie key to supremacy, 7.
Detroit, Toledo '& Ironton R. R., 366,
Uisbrow, Henry, pioneer, 518.
' V, Mr. and Mrs. Henry (portrait).
District schools, 417.
Dixon, Thornton, 967.
Dohm, Augustus A., 863,
Doing honor to Monroe's licio, 337.
Dorsch. Edward. 1008.
Doty, Fred B,. 800.
Downey, James S., 768.
Draper, Burton A.. 710.
Driiikliahn, Robert, 585.
Driving the Miarais, 31.
Dii BuisHon. 8.
Duck family, 308.
Dugout, .12.
Dllgout and Pinoiige. 52.
Diillmt. Sieiir. 38. 48.
Dunliar, Addison E.. 9B2.
Dunbar, William, 833.
Dundee Lodge No. 74, 454.
Dundee quarr.v. 271.
Dundee tonnship. mention, 250. 486;
farm statistics. 337; organised, 486;
first white child bom in, 486; first
postoftiw. 487; first land entry, 487;
earlv schools. 487; su|K'i'Visor (1912),
494.'
Columbus, 666.
of. 64.
Earliest inhabitant. 365.
Early French industries. 40,
Early irreapoHsible banks. 33!l.
Early memberB of the Monroe bar. 2S6.
Early trials of agriculture. 313.
Eaton. Kidney X., 932.
Eby. Louis. 695.
Eckhof, Slicliael. 583.
Educational history, 416.
Effect of Erie canal opening, 344,
Eighteenth Michigan Infantry. 225.
Elder, Josiah M., 803.
Elevated beach levels, 293.
Elevations within the county, 391.
'Elkliart Manufacturing Company, 401.
Hosted by Google
Enlistment of July, 1863, 324.
Erie & Kalama^uo Raitroail, 138, 366.
Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad Company,
incorporate<l, 369.
Srie canal, '.Hi.
Erie township, mention, 350, 493; farm
statistics, 327; organiied, 481, 493;
first election, 493 ; first supervisor,
493; supervisor (1913), 494.
Establishment of social clubs, 45S.
Evangelical association of Monroe
county, 446.
Evangelical church (view), 424.
Evans, Adelbert W., 878.
Eventful year, 180.5, 348.
Bxeter township, mention, 350, 485;
farm statistics, 337; orgaiiizect, 485;
first election, 485; supervisor (1913),
494.
Exportation of cattle and liogs, 397.
Extinguishment of Indian title, 130.
Extracts from a journal kept by Edward
D. Ellis, 536.
Extract from diary of Heniy Disbrow,
518.
Fair dealings with the Indians, 35.
Fa ling, Ambrose P., 847.
Fall of military leader, 143.
Farmer's fences, 327.
Farmers' Mutual Fire Insiiranc^e Com-
pany of Monroe and Wayni
467.
Fashionable dancing sctiool, 336.
Faunee, Jay R., 833.
Federal bankrupt law, 350.
Felch, Hon. Alpheus, 257.
Fillmore, Clarence C., 835.
Finances and financiers, 349.
First Baptist church of Monroe, 444.
First export of (lour from Michigan,
538.
First local Masonic Lodge, 453.
First Monroe newspaper, 536.
First Monroe t'nion school, 418.
First National Bank, 353. '
First National Bank of Monroe, 353.
First National burglary and robbery.
359.
First northwestern railroads operated.
366.
438.
First
First
t permanent nursery business, 385.
t Presbyterian church (view), 434.
■ Presbyterian ehurcli of La Salle,
1 ort Lawrence t
139
liret Protestant pieacher*i 43b
l-ir«t settlers 482
kirst telegraph well used 3a2
tust township lai\s 481
lust Union school in Monroe (view),
418
tirat war meetings m the county, ]7G.
lust worthy master Seneca \ll(n, 453.
tishing induatrv 387
lishing not all profit 390
live tonnships organized 4S1
fix Leander 986
Flood on River Raism lebruarv 8, 1887
(\iew) 295
Hour nulla 397
lorestry and foiest gionth 120
formal reunion July 4 1873 128.
lorinan Stephen D 870
lort Fight On 74
^~"^ ' 'Dwnahip organized, 481.
)nnsbip upholds Mason,
Meigs 57
Inrt ^^ mthester completed 75
l(Stei M!rs Elizabeth A 941
lourth Michigan Infantry 230
bourth year of Miihigan Southern, 371.
1 rancisco George W 6''6
1 ranke Carl 934
French and Indian war 5"
Jrcnch and Yank>e pioneers j03
1 rench colonists 34
1 rench fur dealers 4
trench houses 40
French Indian fur trade 35
French induatiies earlj 40
Freneli in the Poiitiac war 42
trench pears and applm 3R3
French seamen 3T
rreneh social traits 42
Frenchtown 57 83
IrenchtoHn Tattle of '"7
Irenchtoan quarries 279
trenchtown system 346
French town township 350 413 farm
statistics 327 organise I 481 iirst
iperviaor 483 supeiiiao (19J2),
Presbyterian church, Monroe, 434.
Presbyterian church, Monroe
■w), 433.
494
French loja^eui 49
Frineke, H. F. R,, 949.
Frontenae, 31.
Fruit growing favored, 315.
Gale, Austin W,. 650.
Ciale, Joseph B., 533.
Game, 301.
"Gazette," 407.
General farm statistics, 33T.
Geology of Monroe county, 265.
Gerick, Fred, 590.
German carp, 393.
German Workingmen's Association,
Gilday, Alfred L., 909.
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Gilhouae, Albert L., 96^.
Gladwin, ilajor, 14, 17.
Gladwin'a position, 18,
Godfrey, Philip W., 980.
Gold, John G., 778.
Golden, Chnrlea A., 804.
Golden, OlaytOD C, 938.
Golo club. 45»; organized, 460.
Giolo club, past officers of (imrtt
461.
Goodridge, Cliarles. 721.
Gorham, Charles T., 87.>.
Gottfried. Micliael, 937.
Government canal of today (viow),
Graralioh, Joseph, 740.
Granle, GuBtave, 696.
my of the
ank R. R. i„
Greatest deer hunting
township, 488.
Great Macon Drain. 489.
Greeley, Horace, 130.
Greeley's letter, reproduction of, 1,'!
Greening, Benjamin J., 910.
Greening, Cliariea E., G40.
(iTeening, John C. W., 644.
Greening, Walter H., 994.
Gutmann, William G., 926.
(Juyor, Joseph, 136.
Guyor, Joseph, aged one linndred
seven years (portrait). 127.
Haight, Edwin 8., 715.
Hammer, John C, 969,
Hansberger, Thomas I., 996.
Hansbeiger, Willis Jl., 987.
Harbor and transportation, 365.
Harrison enthusiastically reeeive<I, 7
Harrison, General, 33, 66, 73,
Harrison overtakes Proctor, 106.
Harrison takes the iield, 67.
Harvey, Captain Luther, 513.
Haskell. Jlrs. E. F., 386.
Hasley, John C, 574,
Hausmann. Frank M.. 9.51.
Hawkes, Carlton E., 679.
Haynea, .lohn B., 787.
Hazen, Rodney 0., 730.
Heath, William H. B., 734.
Heeoek, Amos T., 772.
Hendershot, Sherman P., 78S.
Hennepin, Father, 54.
Hennepin's record, 54.
Henrieh, William G.. 932.
Herkimer, Clarence S.. 693.
Herkimer, Harry C., 685.
Herkimer, Henry H., 684.
Herrera, General, 170.
Heiss, William, 575.
Hess, James A., 743.
High school of today, 430.
Hilton, Edward W., 874.
History of Ht. Mary's church, 428.
Hoffman. Henry D.. 1017.
Hoffman, Ignats, 677.
Hoffman, Leopold. 838.
Holmes, Hiram S.. 726.
Honor to Monroe Masons, 456.
Hoover, David H., 805.
Horner. John S., 11«.
Horner succeedi Mason as governor.
Horse theives and their cure,
Houghton, Douglas, 366, 268.
House Island, 136.
Hubbard. Edward H., 805.
Hubble, Natlian B.. 954.
Hudson Bay Company, ,")3.
Hull cDUrtmartialed, 100.
Hull. General, 73.
Hull's surrender, 99.
Humphrey, G«neral Levi S.. 2.
Kuril. George R.. 960,
Kur.I. William M.. 959.
Huron and other itreai
III.
545.
390.
qnarnes, aT.'i,
ma township. S50. 488; farm statistics,
337; organised. 488; first settlers, 488;
great deer-hunting region, 488; super-
visor (1913), 494.
Iljfenfritj! Company. :i8.).
Ilgenfritz. Frank L.. 742,
llgeufritx, Israel E.. ,i95.
Ilgenfritz, Theodore E., 639.
llgeii fritz. Wilbur F., 985.
Immediate cause of organization, 247.
Improvement of soils. 323.
Incorporated villages (censu*. of 1910),
:. 37, 49,i,
Indians capture relief expedition, 20.
Indian deed to site of Monroe, 534.
Indian history and legends, 36.
Indian outrages. 81.
Indians support the Great Chief, 104.
Indian title extinguished. 130.
Indian treaty, 120.
Indian warfare, 97,
Indian war^. 7.
Indian worship of the gieat Spirit, 38.
Industries and commerce, 383.
Ingersoll. Richard P., 745.
Interesting and impressive proceedings,
138.
Irish -Indian romance, 27.
Jaekman, Franklin G., 813.
Janney, Clarence E., 815.
Jean Boueh (portrait), 50.
Jesuit fathers, 41 ; martyrdom of, 2.
Hosted by Google
Johnson, Colonel Oliver, 5^0.
Johnson, Colonel Oliver (portrait), 531.
Johnston, Peter T., 698.
Jones, Charles U, 1007.
Joliet, Xiouis, 6.
Joliet, Marquette and La Salle, 5.
Joos, Edward, 706.
Justices divide territory, 143.
Kauch, Edward C, 580.
Keegau, James E., 789.
Keller, Herman D., 703.
lielley. James J., 965.
Kelly, Ellis W., 818.
Kelly, Herbert E„ 843.
Kemmerling, C. Wesley. 788.
Kemmerling, Jerry L., 787.
Kentupkiane chagrined at surrender, 80.
Kentuekians describe battle of Freneh-
town, 73.
Kentucky Soldiers' Monument in Mon-
roe (view), 176.
Kibui-tz, Carl S., 987.
Killed and wounded in battle o[ Lake
Erie. 113.
Kinney, Argria J., 812.
Kiniiey, George U., 806.
Kinsey, Henry C, 8r>9.
Kirscbner, John A., 956.
Kirsehner, George C. 9211.
Klump, John 8., 891.
Knab, Otto C, 907.
Knaggs, James, 336.
Knapp, Irwin, W.. 939.
Kiiapp, Lewis C, 857.
Knapp, William F.. 760.
Knowles, James, 739.
Kresshaeh, Fred M.. 647.
Kull, Cuy J.. 953.
Kumnierow, Albert F.. Rli;:.
L'Allemant. Father (iabriel. •2.
La. Croix, Colonel Hubert, 510.
La Crob: Manor hoiiBe. 511.
La Fountain & Loranger Bank, burglary
of, 361.
La Hontan, 45, 46.
La Hontan's "Coureur de Bois," 45.
Lake Krie, battle of. 109.
Lake Erie sand ridge, showing stunted
growth of oak and evergreens (view).
390.
Lambrix. Jacob J.. 940.
Lamkin. Elijah M., 664.
Lamphere, William N.. 911,
Land grants, 39.
Landon, fieorge, 413.
Landon. George M,. 753.
Langdon, George, 800.
Lanman, Charles. 543.
Ija Plaisanee Bay, 378.
La Plaisance Bay Harbor Company,
378, 537,
La Point, Daniel K.. 800.
I^ Salle, 6, 31, 47.
lia Salle quarries, 383.
Lasalle township, 250, 493; farm sta-
tistics, 337; organized, 492; flrat
election. 493; supervisor (1913), 494.
Laskey, Norman J., 797.
Last battle at Tippecanoe, 33.
r.ji«den8lftger, Daniel J„ 918.
Lauer, Edward G. J., 763,
Lauor, Emanuel S., 848.
Lawrence, Woleott, 360.
Laying of corner stone first Union school,
418.
Leaders of the rebellion, IG^,
Legal notis, 35«.
Legendary lore of Indians, 36.
legend of the "Floral City," 535.
I^end of the old cannon, 136.
Legend of the old pear tree, 41,
Lennington, A. B., Q03.
Leonard, Orriii J., 917.
Leonard, Peter A., 914.
Libraries of Monioe, 475.
Liedel, Sebastian, 576.
Lights, 497.
Lincoln high school, 417.
Lincoln Lodge, No. 190, 1. 0. O. F., 4-J7.
Linenfelser, Fred, 697.
List of trees fonnd in Monroe countv,
331.
List of voluilteei-s in Civil war, 17K
Little Sink, 877. 397,
Little Kink quarry, 377,
Lockwood, Ezra L., 616.
Lockwood, Harry A., 637.
Lockwood, Jennie H., 631.
Lodges outside of llouroe citv, 456
Lolir, John W., 737.
London township, 350. 490; farm uta-
tistics, 337; orgnnizntion, 490; first
township meeting, 490; supervisor
(1913). 494,
Loose, Mrs. Emma I!.. 933.
Loranger, Eli. 634.
Luft, George A., 940.
Luft, William J.. 6fil.
MacBridi', James (3., 988.
Macomb Street House, 163, 334.
Macon and Saline livers, 396,
Macon quarry, 309.
Mails and mail carriers, 336.
Main traveled roads, 339.
Mainzinger, Charles, 958,
Mainziiiger, Charles 1.,., 958.
Mainzinger, Gustav C, 756.
Making soft soap, 498.
Mallary. Timothy, narrative of. 83.
Mammoth boulder, Monroe county
Manhattan and Havre R. R., 377.
Maple sugar and peltries a medium of
exchaiige, 349.
Hosted by Google
Martli to join Hlil!, 73.
iJari beds, 336.
Marquette, Fatlier, 6, 31, 37.
Martin, Jacob, 883,
Martyrdom of the Jesuit Fatliprw. 2.
Masons and Odd Fellows, 451.
Mason, governor of new atati-. 101.
Mason Reserve, 3+8.
Mason, Stevens T., 118. 139, 140. l.ll,
lr>9, 161, 166.
Mason, William H., 850.
Masomy in Michigan, 4'jl
Massacre at "Bloody Run " 32.
Matteson Mrs Allie M , 110
Mauinee Bank of Alanhattan 34fi.
"\lftumee Brancli Railroa I ( ompHiiy, .'IT'i,
"\[aurer loliii 101 3
lIcArthnr, Colonel SD
MeCal[, J H 004
McCalhira (.eoige B OOd
McClelland, Robert iSti
Mctoimick, Augustine ( l.is
"VIetall Daniel 727
Mct.auglilin, Clarenee 567
Mclaughlin IJonnis, i7u
MiLaughlin Emery H ''I '■
McLaughlin Howaid, 66-
MeMeekin, Robtrt, 888
MiMillan, John b 926
UcMnlleii, T,\m Jolin 72"!
Mean temperatures and siiom fall and
total precipitation 1871 to 1909, 2SR.
Means of transpoi tation iuii>i<ived, 11T.
Metk Henij L S15
Medical profession 411
Meigs losiab 116
Meier Frederuk VV 75'!
Meici Walter A Tit
Memorial place 47 t
Merchants anil Mcihainc-, T.iiiik .)!
"\Ionioe, 349
Merz, Gnsta\ (' , 651
Meltv Felit 512
Mevican war 170
Michigan admitted to tb" I ii n. l,"iS.
Michigan a« a territory I"?
Michigan fisheries i87
Michigan geological auney 287
Michigan Pioneer Socuty, 265
Michigan Pottawatanitea, fading of the,
!0.
Micliigan lejects olive liriticb 149.
Michigan soldiers 17'^
Michigan Southern RE t)7
Michigan takes her stand nsi
Michigan territorial seal 121
Michigan undaunted, 154
Michigan's First Orand Lodge 452.
Michigan's later tribute U Kentucky,
Ml
t 1 I 0 489; farm statis-
t
3 g d 489; early snper-
e pe sor (1912), 494;
t M CO d 489.
Mlta
y d Ci t Monument, 227,
MIt
y d r« 15
Mil
CI ce 1 908.
Ml]
J M 86
Mil
Em ry 8 7
M ral Sp K 334
M cell
eo n tt 534.
M
nd ttl ts, 37.
\1
Albe t M 6 .
M
Ja L 674
M
d tl vail J in 1S33, 538.
M ro
B d Boa d Company, 4(10.
M
h rch ( '),4S4.
■fl
Cty G d 227.
M
C ty M 11 397
Mo
(. I p ent Society, 473,
Monroe
1 coaches and routes, .128,
.Monro*
1 Cominandery No. 5, No. 4 and
Xo. 1
^loiiroe
county as a game region, 54.
Monroe
County Bible Society, 448,
.Monroe
county buildings (vie-ws), 253.
.Monroe
county courthonae (view) 350.
Monroe
county '■Exercised," 184.
Monroe
county farm and infirmary, 253.
Monroe
county farm products, 318.
Monroe
county fisheries. 389.
Monroe
coiintv geology, 265.
.Monroe
County Medical Society, 411,
Moiiroo
conntv soldiers in tlvil war,
:\[<)r
403,
? Foi
b-y & Fui
Company,
Monroe (ilass Company, 401.
Monroe Historical and Libi-ary Asso-
ciation, 476.
IMonroe Home for Blind Babies and gen-
eral hospital. 449,
Monroe Light Guards, 331. 327.
Monroe Light Guard, personnel of, 230.
Monroe Lodge, No. 37, 453.
Monroe Marsh Club. 136, 462.
Monroe nursery and garden, 38,'),
Monroe's present higii scliool, 430,
Monroe's present high school (view), 430,
Monroe quarries. 384.
Monroe Silica Company. 280.
Monroe State Savings Bank. 3!ii,
Monroe Stone Company, 381, 282.
Monroe township. 250, 491; farm ata-
tistics, 327; organized, 481, 491; first
settlers, 493; first election, 492; su-
j>eryisor (1013), 494.
Monroe woman founds canning industry,
386.
Monroe Woolen Mill. 403.
Monroe Yacht Club. 303, 466.
Monroe Young I/idies' Seminary, 422.
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MoiiiimciLt Jtiarkin;^ tlic> battlegrounci
(view), 85.
Moravian town, battle of, 103.
Morin, T. G., 657.
Morris, (Jouverneur, 362,
Mortifying defeat, 107.
Moaer, Frederick D., 783.
Most common varieties of birils, 305.
Mound builder, 265.
MiiHigau (Kifteeiitli) Rogiment, 334.
Mitrpliy House, H34.
Muskrat lore, 301.
Muster roll, of "Wild Cats," .■146.
Mutual and Michigan niivijcncs. 3H(i.
Nadean, Joseph C, 971.
Names of tribes and date of treaty, 121.
Narrative by an actor, 144. ■
Narrative of Timothy Mallary. 83.
Natural gas and oil, 333.
Natural products. :113.
Navarre, Alexander T., 1011.
Navarre, Colonel Francis. 63, 502.
Navarre, Francis, 8, 36.-.. 384.
Naviirre home (vitiw), 83.
Navarre, Joseph G., 504.
Navarre, Peter, the scout, 13B. 503.
Navarre, Peter (portrait]. 506.
Navarre, Robert, 304.
Navarre, Robert F.. 503.
Navarre. Tousitaint H.. D42.
Neutral nation, 4, 5.
Neivcomh, Stanley {)., 846.
New Dublin and Waterloo, 5.iO.
New Fiance, weBtcrti pioneers of, :i3.
New Government Postoffice, 480.
Newport quarries, 379.
New PoBtolfice (view), 47lt.
New Year's calla in 18H6. 500.
News of British and Tndians, 7e.
Newspaper press, 403.
Newspapers, 408.
Nichols, John G., 7S4.
Nickels, Bert J,, 753.
Nimble French wits, 500.
Niswender, Henry W., 861.
Noble, David A., 35ft.
Nogar, Edwin E., 804.
Nortlnvestem Company, 53.
O'Brien, Frank A.. 751.
Oetjens, Godfrey G., 946.
OfHcial programme of Custer celebration,
242.
Ohio boundary commissioners routed,
150.
Ohio getting even with UneTe Sain,
Ohio-Michigan boundary dispute, 13
Ohio sets up claim, 138.
Ohio's official pronunciaraento, 153.
Oil, 333.
O. L. Club, The, 459.
Old Bank of Michigan, 342.
Old Chief Pokagon, 32.
Old City Guard, 237.
Old courthouse, 3S0.
Old French pear trees, 316.
Old roads and trails, 3S8.
Old-time Concord coach, 328.
Old-time domestic hearth, 496.
One of the earlier French houses of the
old regime (view), 40,
On the county farm (view), 253.
Opposed by territorial volunteiTS, 167.
Oration of Judge Campbell, 13!!.
Original creating act, 246,
Original titles to lands, 34."i.
Orvis, Hurry E., 707.
Osgood, Charles R., 758.
Ottawa Lake, 297.
Ottawa Lake quarries, 3T8.
Otter Creek Settlement, 493,
Ontagamies destroyed, y.
Ontagamies threaten French coIoil,\', S.
Overmyer, William F., 744.
Panic of 1857, 363.
Papineaii, Louis J.. 162.
Papineau rebellion or piltrii>t; war. 10?.
Parish, Barnard, 627.
Parker, Burton, 978.
Parker, Luther, 411.
Parks. 473.
Parmelee, Olin E.. 970.
pigeu
, Fre
310.
Pence, George W., 703.
Penalties for unauthorized banking. 34
Pcro Marquette E. K., 305.
Period of Civil unrest, 248.
Periods of commercial depicijsioiL&, 30
Perkins. Captain A, D„ 535.
Perry. Commodore, 103.
Perry's official report. 111,
Perry's squadron in action, 113.
Pesonnel of the Monroe Light Cuai-
330.
Peters, Frank S,. 633.
Peterson. Charles W„ 977.
Pettit, Ovrus W,, 943.
Phillips, ifathan C, 709,
Physical geography of county, 287.
Pickai-d. .Tackson H., 965.
Pickens, David C, 885.
Picture of the River Raisin. 395.
Pierre Jean Baptiste Cadottc Dc I.
Eepentigny (portrait), 50.
Pioneer and Historical Society, 133.
Pioneer domestic life, 495.
-Pioneer roadside tavern, 332.
Pirogue, 53,
Plum Creek quarries, 285.
Poem of the battle of River Raisin, 8i
Pokagon, Old Chief, 33.
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Police department, 469.
Poctiac, the Great Ottawa, 16, 31; con-
spiracy of, 11; character of, 10; his
ambitious plan, 16; death of, 17; con-
spiracy thwarted, 17; attacic on De-
troit, 17; raises the siege, 32.
Pontiac war, the French in, i'i.
Population, 1810-1910, 551.
Population of county, 32T.
Foatoffices, 480.
Postoffice, new (view), 47'J.
PostofKoes and post ma at era of tlie
county, 551.
Posts pass into American iianils. S4.
Potter, Edward C, 340.
Potter, James C, 863.
Potter, Theodore O., 774.
Frehiaiorie remains near big prairie, 366.
Preliminary gathering on house island,
126.
Presbyterian church reunited, 436.
President Taft'a address, 241.
Press, iOX
Private schools, 431.
Proctor, Colonel, 58, 80; report of, 61;
opposed by Tecumseh, 103.
Proposed settlement, 143.
Protestant churches of Monroe county,
434.
. Qnarries, 208, 283.
Quell, Louis J., 943.
Question of water supply, 470.
Railroad Levels, 393.
Railroad btrikea, 239.
Railroads traversing the county, 365.
Raisin Valley Historical Society, 140.
Raisinville Congregational church dis'
banded, 438.
Raisinville quarries. 374.
Raisinville township, 250, 487; farm
atatistiea, 327; organized, 481; first
supervisor, 487 ; supervisor ( 1918) ,
494.
Rankin, Charles H., 747.
Rapid circulation of specie, 340.
Rapp, Christopher, 680.
Ready, J. Edward, 947.
Red Pox, 304.
Red Light Tavern, 164.
Red man's fairies and brownies, 27.
Regulation of the coureur, 47.
Rehberg, Fred D., 694.
Reisig, Herman J., 913.
Relief expedition, Indiana capture, 20..
Religious history, 435.
"Remember the Kaiain," 105.
Reorganization of London townsliip, 490.
Report by General Harrison to Governor
Shelby, 66.
Representative government voted down,
120.
Repi-odnction of Greeley's letter, 130.
Response of Michigan and Monroe
county, 171.
Result of battle and Tecumseh's death,
108.
Revivals of 1824 and 1837, 362.
Reynolds, James H., 566.
Rhoades, Michael, 871.
Richard, Gabriel, priest and congress-
man, 437.
Richards, I^wis. 905.
Ried, Wesley, .'j86.
River Raiain and Grand River Railroad,
River Raisin at Monroe, 395.
Rii'er Raisin Country, 8, 54.
River Raisin looking westward from
Macomb street bridge (view), 294.
River Raisin massacre, 98.
HivBT Raisin Paper Company, 401.
Rivera of county, 293.
Roach, Frank T., 633.
Roads and road metal, 368.
Rock Opening, Big Sink, leading to un-
derground currents (view), 298.
Roeder, Herman C., 948.
Rogers. Major, 11.
Roll call of veterans, 131.
Root, Jesse H., 930.
Root. Philander S., 1030.
Rose cottage home school, 433.
Roundhead, Chief, 58, 70.
Rout of the Americans. 59.
lioyal Arch Masons, 455.
Rujiture over Texas, 170.
.St. Ciiarles Parish, 658.
St. John's Catholic church (view), 434.
St. John's church, 431.
St. Joseph's church, Erie, 433.
.St, Mary's church (view), 424,
St. Mary's church dedicated, 1834, 427;
history of, 428,
St. Mary's college and academy, 704.
St. Mary's college. Monroe (view), 430.
St. Michael's Catholic church (view), 434.
St. Jlichael's church, 431.
St, Michael's Coramanderv, Knights of
St. John, 432.
St. Patrick's church of Exeter township,
433,
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church,
438,
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church
(view), 424.
Salt licks, 266,
Sancraint, John B,, 512.
Santa Anna, General, 174.
Sawyer, Alfred I., 414.
Schafer, F. William, 934.
Schaul) Brothers. 1004.
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XXVI INI
Schaub, Joseph, <JS9.
Schaub, Peter A., 1003.
Schaub, Phillip, 1007.
Scheurer, Adam H., 897.
Schmidt, William F., 800.
Scholl, Daniel C, 089.
Schoolcraft and his Indian n'ife, S6.
Schoolcraft, Henry 8., 36, 133.
Schools, 416.
Schrauder. John, 1014.
Schuler, Frederick, 753.
Scientific study of limestone a, 366.
Seal of the territory, 135.
Serious shortage of provisions. 74.
Seventeenth (Stonewall) Regiment. 235.
Seventh Michigan Infantry, 331.
Seventy common birds, 305.
Shaler, Charles, 155.
Shaler succeeds Mason, 15.>.
Shawnee Spring, 3S6.
Shelby, Gov. Isaac, 60.
Sheriff's residence (view), 2'jE.
Shin plasters, 349.
Shi_p Canal, The, .■!79.
Shipwreck and legend of the "Favorite,"
547.
Shore Line Stone Company, 281,
Sieur de Vineennes, (
Siffer, Jules J., 924.
Sigler, John L.. 668.
Sill, Fred J., 925.
Simntiona, Benjamin F., 964.
Sisung, Victor, 869.
Sleeping bear (view), 367.
Smith, Diantha, 731.
Smith, Fred, 589.
Smith guards of Monroe, 17T. 220.
Smith, Henry, 731.
Smith, Jasper N., 816.
Smith, Robert, 889.
Smith, Thomas H,, 573.
Smith. William A., 834.
"Smith's Tavern" (view), 333.
Social and other clubs, 459.
Social and sportmen's clubs, 458.
Social clubs, estahlishment of, 458,
Soils and subsoils, 313.
Soldiers from Monroe county in Mexii
war, 171.
Solid French buildings, 40.
Sorter, Dwight W., 810.
Southeastern portion of Michigan (185
(map), 404,
South wall of Woolmith quarry (vie
373,
Southworth, Benjamin H., 603.
Southworth, Charles T., 901.
Southworth, Charles T., Sr., 898.
Southworth, Clinton B., 648.
Spanish-American war, 339.
Specie, 346.
Sperry, Roy M., 634.
Stable government. 114,
Stage coach traveling 38
btage drivers 330
Standard Mill 398
Start of Monroe nurseries 383
Starved Rock 30
State curbs on speculation 350
State forces threitLU to clasli J39
State seals and mottoei 135
Sterling Joe C 919
Sterling Joseph M S21
Sterling William C 82b
Sterling W illiam C Ir s'q
Sterna Harry H 851
Stick ne J Mai or 154
Stickney s arrest 154
Stone and stone crushing '69
Stone business of Monroe 280
Stone George A 853
Stone quarries 40
Stoner Ceorge W 1013 _
Streets parks nnd bridges 4"]
Strimbell Jacob T 919
Stiong Captain I eoigt ^^ 52"
Strong John 1031
Stuart Henn "IS
Stiimpmeir Coniad G05
Sturgeon 396
Stum Bernard 968
Sturn Frank S 6j3
Stum \\ illiam E 6 .1
Sngai making h\ Indians and pioneers.
495
Suinmeifield township 3jO 483 first ar-
ii\alB 484 farm statistics J3" first
township meeting 484 =upfivisor
(1913) 494
Snpeistitions of early settlers ^8
Suppoit of the Inion 17
Surf ice drainage 2 I
Surrendei of Detroit 8 J6
Surrendei The 81
Sykes John L 8 "
larget shooting and shootei? o46
Tai
I 339
Taylor Gen Zachary 16" 1~1
Teall thas W 735
Teeumseh, the Great Shawnee, 30. 69, 88,
104, 506; death, 106; (portrait), 08.
Territorial and state seals and mottoes,
135.
Territorial period and beyond, 355.
Third Michigan Cavalry Brigade, 339.
Thurber, Jefferson G., 261.
Tiffany, Arthur K, 925.
Timber growth and conservation, 330.
Timothy Mallarj, narrative of, 83.
Tin lamps evolved, 498.
Toasts and responses, 132.
Todd, Alexander, 600.
Todd. Frank S., 945.
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Todd, James 11., 1010.
Toledo and Detroit turnpike, a30.
Toledo war, 137.
Toll, Charles, 854.
Toll, Philip li., 854.
To restrain wild banldug, 351.
Total enlistment in county, ai9.
Township histories, 481.
Township supervisors (1913), 494.
Townships of Monroe county, 3j0, 481.
Trabbic, Flagget, 873,
Trabbic, John B.. 864.
Trabbic, Victor M., 805.
Tradition of the sacred flro, 39.
Transportation business for 1913, :180.
Transportation, means of improved, 117.
Trees planted soon after war of 1812,
384.
Trinity Episcopal church, 440.
Trinity Episcopal cliureh (view). 424.
Trinity Lutheran church, 443.
Trinity Lutheran church (view), 424.
Triquet, August, 995.
Trophies and prisoners, 108.
Troublous dnya of travel, 3:!^.
True medicine men, 499.
Tuttle, Orlie A., 831,
Two famous sportmen'a clubs, 459.
Underground drainage, 397.
Under three powers. 1.
Unique batteau, 51.
United States claims unsettled, 170.
United States Hotel, 164, 334.
United States survey levels, 293.
University branches, 417.
University of Michigan, 416,
Upper Canada troubles, 163,
Ups and downs (1839-50), 363.
Van Akin, Simeon, 843.
Van Houten, Charles L., 603.
Van Riper, Jacob M.. 630.
Veiiia, Harvey R., 811.
Verdon, Thomas E., 849.
Veterans of the War of 1813, 126, 33S.
Veterans present at reunion, 127.
Veterans' reunion, 128.
Veteran surveyors, 483.
View from the other aide, 109.
View of government canal of today, 380.
Views, an old French homestead, 34;
one of the earlier French houses of
the old regime, 40; ancient French
pear trees, 41; Coureur de Bois, 44;
Pierre Jean Baptiste Calotte De La
Eepentigny, 50 ; Jean Boucher, 60 ;
British plan of battle of River Raisin,
January 33, 1813, 56; Winchester car-
toon. 60: Teeumseh, 68; Colonel
Navarre's home, 82; monument mark-
ing the battle ground, 85; Guyor,
Joseph. 139; Combs, General Leslie,
133; Kentucky soldiers' monument in
Monroe, 176; armory and opera house,
339; Custer, General George A., 333;
Custer, Elizabeth B., 333; Custer me-
morial, Monroe, 340; courthouse, Mon-
roe, 244; Monroe county courthouse,
250; on the county farm, 352; sheriff's
residence, 253; county infirmary, 353;
Monroe county buildings, 353; Mam-
moth boulder, Monroe county, 267 ;
south wall of Woolmith quarry, 273;
bed of Ottawa Sink, 276; quarry floor
(west wall) Monroe Stone Company,
283; ijoke Erie sand rtdge, 290;
River Raisin looking westward, 294;
flood on River Raisin (February 8,
1887) , 395 ; rock opening, big sink,
298 ; an old-time mail coach. 339 ;
"Smith's Tavern," 332; bank of River
Raisin, Monroe (1836), 348; govern-
ment eanal of today, 380; Monroe
churches, 434; first union school in
Monroe, 418; Monroe's present high
school, 430; First Presbyterian church,
Monroe, 435; Monroe churches, 434;
Zion Lutheran church, 434; Trinity
I'^piscopal church, 434; Trinity Lu-
theran church, 434; St, Paul's Method-
ist Episcopal church, 434; First Pres-
byterian church, 424; St. John's
Catholic church, 434; St, Mary's
chni'ch, 434; St. Michael's Catholic
church, 434; Evangelical church. 434;
liaptist church, 434; St, Mary's col-
lege, Monroe, 430; First Presbyterian
church, Monroe, 435; first officers of
(iolo club, 461; new postoftice, 479;
Navarre, Peter, 506; Disbrow, Mr. and
Mrs. Henry, 518 ; Johnson, Colonel
Olivei', 520; Buikley, Major Gershom
T„ 533,
Visit to Chief Chenagar, 30.
Vivian, John, 915.
Vivian, Richard, 573.
Vivian, Robert G., 917.
Voyageiir, 49.
Wabash R. R., 365.
Wagner, l^Ved C„ 733,
Waldorf Mill, 398.
Waldorf Paper Mills, 399.
Wallace, Samuel L., 794.
War declared, 171.
War of 1813, 8T, 111.
Warner, Eugene, 930.
Washington again upholds Michigan, 150,
Washington street, Monroe (view), 473.
Waterloo mills, 397, 989.
Water supply, question of, 470,
Weber, Frank D„ 877.
Weier, Anton, 756.
Weier, August J., 757.
Weilnau, David, 786,
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xxviii INDEX
Weis Ma 11 u fart u ring Company, 399. Winter sports on the iet, .'i91.
Western pioneers of Neiv France, 33, Wives making their own candies, 498
Whipping post used in Monroe, 545. Woman's relief corps, 236.
Whipple, Edward M.. 613. "Wood raiigera," 36.
White, James A., 892. Wool and homespun cloth, 500.
White, Levi E., 675. Wool and wheat markets, 351.
Whiteford quarries, 280. Wool, General, 163.
Whiteforrt township, 350, 491; farm Woolinith qnarries. 372.
statistics, .127; organized, 491; first Work of bank examiners, 347.
aettler, 491; Candec family. 401; Work of state survey, 368.
supervisor (1913). 494. Work of the police ilepartmeut, 469,
Wildcat banking and banks. 343. WyanJottes, 1, 4, 5.
Wildcat schemes and panic of 1837, 363. Wyandottes uentr.i! nation. 4.
Wild turkey and its ways, 309.
Williams. Maj.-Gen. John R., lOR.
Willing, Christian, 661.
Willing, Christiana C, 661.
Wilson, Alfred, 748.
Winchester. General, 57. 75, 80. Zabel, John G,, 1019.
Winchester's report, 63, Zink, Henry A., 673.
Wing, Charles R., 753. Zink, .Tolin \V.. 5S3.
Wing, Talcott E., 363. Zink, Peter J., OT:i,
Wing, Hon. Warner, 258. Zioii Lntheran tliiirtli
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History of Monroe County
UNDER THREE POWERS
Cartier and Champlain — Martyrdom of the Jesuit Fathers — The
Wyandottes (Neutral Nation) — Joliet, Maequette and LaSalle
— Detroit, the Key to Supremacy — Outagamies Threaten French
Colony — Detroit Falls to the British — Pontiac's Conspiracy — ■
Siege op Fort Detroit.
The early European adventurers found these regions in the possession
of numerous tribes of savages, divided into seperate communities and
speaking various languages, but having a general resemblance in their
manners and customs, their religion, government and institutions. Much
labor and research have been devoted to the study of their origin and
migrations. That they are branches of the great Tartar stock is gen-
erally believed at the present day. Many points of resemblance, both
physical and moral, leave little doubt upon the subject. But why, or
when, or where the separation occurred, or by what route, or in what
maimer they were conducted from the plains of Asia to those of America, ■
it were vain to inquire, and impossible to tell.
Caetier and Champlain
Three centuries have elapsed, since Jacques Cartier, the first Euro-
pean adventurer who ascended the St. Lawrence, that great artery of
these regions, landed upon the Island of Montreal, then called Hochelaga.
He found it in the possession of a branch of the "Wyandotte * stock of
Indians, who had not long before subdued the more ancient inhabitants,
and established themselves in their place. The slight record which the
historians of this expedition has left, of the appearance and situation of
the primitive people who occupied this continent before us, and whose
descendants still occupy it with us, leave little room to doubt, that in
all the essential features of character and condition, this branch of the
human family has been as stationary as any whose records are known to
us. That the coming of the white man among them has on the whole
been injurious, there is too much reason to believe. But those day dreams
of Arcadian innocence and peace, which assigned to the Indian every
moral and physical blessing till he was stripped of them by the Christian
spoiler, exist only where sentimental heads and warm hearts contemplate
the picture formed by their own imaginations. It is only necessary in
'Early writers spell tW word Wyandot; the present form is preferred.
1
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2 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
confirmation of the general position, to state that the various tribes were
continually in a state of relentless warfare which could have no other
termination than the destruction of one of the parties engaged in it,
Cartier was the pioneer, but Champlain was the founder of the
French power upon this continent as Maissoneuve was the founder of
Montreal (1641). For twenty years succeeding the commencement of
the seventeenth century, he was zealously employed in planting and
rearing upon the banks of the St. Lawrence that infant colony, which was
destined to extend its branches to these shores, and finally to contest
with its great rival Great Britain, the sovereignty of North America.
Champlain displayed, in his adventurous life, traits of heroism, self-
devotion, and perseverance which, under more favorable circumstances,
would have placed him in the ranks of those whose deeds are the laud-
marks of history.
The progress of these settlements, their alternations of prosperity and
adversity are peculiarly interesting to us, only as they exhibit the grad-
ual and successive steps, by which a knowledge of these inland seas, and
of the countries around them, was acquired, and the .settlements estab-
lished and extended. As the tide of French power flows toward this
peninsula we become more anxious to trace its purposes and 'progress,
and to inquire into the motives and means of the hardy adventurers,
who were every year ascending, still farther and farther, the boundless
waters before them. It was early discovered, that a profitable traffic
in furs could be carried on with the Indians, and the excitement of gain
prompted those engaged in it, to explore every avenue, by which the
camps and hunting grounds of the Indians could be approached, A
better and nobler feeling, too, brought to this work a body of learned and
pious men, who left behind them their own world, with all its pleasures
and attachments, and sought, in the depths of remote and unknown
regions, objects for the exercises of their zeal and piety. The whole
history of human character furnishes no more illustrious examples of
self-devotion, than are to be found in the records of the establishments
of the Roman Catholic missionaries, whose faith and fervor enabled them
to combat the difficulties around them in life, or to triumph over them
in death.
Martyrdom op the Jesuit Fathers
The ordinary sufferings and hardships endured by the devoted Jesuit
Fathers were small compared to the horrible tortures and unbelievable
torments suffered at the hands of the bloodthirsty and inhuman Iroquois
in the seventeenth century in the wilderness of Michigan. There is one
statement by a coadjutor brother in the archives of Canada at Ottawa,
written in French, a translation of which I have been permitted to copy.
Neither the truth nor the authenticity of this "veritable account" can
be doubted, and probably scores of other instances could be gathered
confirming the impression and belief that the Iroquois tribe of Indians
were fiends in human form, who killed for the pleasure of killing and
derived pleasure from witnessing the sufferings of victims. This is a
horrible and repulsive chronicle, that defies all efforts to reconcile it
with the traditions of the Indian race as anything but noble. This is the
only tribe which appears to have possessed the ferocity of malignant
hatred toward the white race.
"Veritable Account of the martyrdom and most happy death of
Father Jean de Breboeuf and Father Gabriel L'Allemant in New France,
in the country of the Hurons, by the Iroquois enemies of the Faith."
"Father Jean de Brebosuf and Father Gabriel L'Allemant had set
out from our cabin to go to a small bourg called St. Ignace, distant from
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 3
our cabin about a short quarter of a league, to instruct the savages and
the new Christians in that bourg.
■'It was on the 16th day of March, in the morning, that we perceived
a great fire at the place to which these two good fathers had gone. The
fire made us very uneasy. We did not know whether it was enemies, or
if the lire had taken in some of the huts of the village. The Rev. Father
Paul Ragenau, our superior, immediately resolved to send some one to
, learn what might be the cause. But no sooner had we formed the design
of going there to see, than we perceived several savages on the road
coming straight towards us. We all thought it was the Iroquois who
were coming to attack us, but having considered them more closely,
we perceived that it was Hurons, who were flying from the light and
who had escaped from the combat. These poor savages caused great pity
in us. They were all covered with wounds ; one had his head fractured ;
another had his hand cut off by a blow from an axe. In fine, the day
was passed receiving into our huts all these poor wounded people and in
looking with compassion towards the fire, and the place where these two
good fathers were. We saw the fire and the barbarians, but we could
see nothing of our two fathers.
"Here is what these savages told us of the taking of the bourg St.
Ignace, and of the Fathers Jean de Brebceuf and Gabriel L'AUemant:—
"The Iroquois came to the number of twelve hundred men or more;
took our village ; took Father Brebceuf and his companion ; set fire to
the huts. Then they proceeded to discharge their rage on these two
fathers, for they took them both and stripped them entirely naked, and
fastened each to a post. They tied both of their hands together. They
then tore the nails from their fingers. They beat them with a shower
of blows from cudgels, on the shoulders, the loins, the belly, the legs, and
the face, there being no part of their body that did not endure this tor-
ment.
"They told us further: Although Father Brebceuf was overwhelmed
under the weight of these blows, he did not cease continually to speak
of God, and to encourage all the new Christians who were captives, like
himself, to suffer well, that they might die well, in order that they
might go in company with him to Paradise. While the good Father
was thus encouraging these good people, a wretched Huron renegade,
who had remained a captive with the Iroquois and whom Father Bre-
bceuf had formerly instructed and baptized, hearing him thus speak of
Paradise and Holy Baptism was irritated and said to him ; ' Echon, '
(that is Father Brebreuf's name in Huron) 'thou sayest that the bap-
tism and the sufferings of this life lead straight to Paradise, thou
wilt go soon, for I am going to baptize thee and to make thee suffer well
in order to go the sooner to thy Paradise.' The barbarian having said
that, took a, kettle of boiling water, which he poured over his body three
different times, in derision of Holy Baptism. And each time that the
barbarian baptized him in this manner he said to him in bitter sarcasm,
'Go to Heaven, now, for you are well baptised.' After that they made
him suffer several other torments. The first was to make a collar of
red hot axes, and apply them to the loins and at the arm pits. They
made six of these axes red hot, taking a large withe of green wood, passed
this through the large end of the axes, joined the two ends of the withe
together and put it around the neck of the sufferer. I have seen no
torment which moved me with more compassion than this; for you see,
a man bound naked to a post who having this collar on his neck, cannot
tell what posture to take. For if he lean forward, those above his shoul-
ders bear the more upon him; if he lean back, those on his chest or
stomach make him suifer the same torment ; and if he keep erect, without
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4 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
leaning entire forward or back, the burning ases applied equally on both
sides, give him a double torture. After that they put upon him a belt
full of pitch and rosin and set fire to it, which roasted his whole body.
During all these torments, Father Brebteuf endured like a rock insensible
to fire and flames, which astonished all the bloodthirsty wretches who
tormented him. His zeal was so great that he preached continually to
these infidels to try to convert them. His executioners were enraged
against him, for constantly speaking to them of God and conversion.
To prevent him from' further speaking to them of God, they cut off his
upper and lower lips. After that they set themselves to strip the flesh
from his legs, thighs and arms to the very bone, and put it to roast before
his eyes, in order to eat it. "Whilst they tormented him in this manner,
these wretches derided him, saying, 'thou seest well that we treat thee
as a friend, since we shall be the cause of thy eternal happiness ; thank
us then for these good ofiices we render thee for the more thou
shaft suffer, the more shalt thy God reward thee. ' These villains, seeing
that the good father was growing weak, made him sit on tie ground, took
a knife and cut out his heart, which they roasted and ate. Others came
and drank his blood, using their both hands. This is what we learned of
the martyrdom and most happy death of Father Jean de Brcbceuf, by
several Christian savages worthy of belief, who had been constantly
present from the time the good father was taken, until his death. Father
Brebceuf was taken on the 16th of March in the morning in the year
1649. I had the happiness of carrying both Father BrebtBuf and Father
Gabriel L'Allemant to their graves, both having died on the same day of
their torture. It is not a doctor of the Sorbonne who has written this.
It is a remnant from the Iroquois, and a person who has lived more than
thought.
"Your humble and obedient servant,
"Christophe Regnaut,
"Coadjutor Brother with the Jesuit's of Caen, 1678, companion of
Fathers Brebceuf and LAllemant, above mentioned."
The Wyandottbs; Neutral Nations
Through the Catholic missionaries and French fur dealers, a knowl-
edge of the great features of the continent was gradually acquired, and
the circle of French power and influence enlarged. As early as 1632,
seven years only after the foundations of Quebec were laid, the mis-
sionaries had penetrated to Lake Huron, and Father Sagard has left
an interesting narrative of their toils and sufferings, upon its bleak and
sterile shores. The Wyandottes had been driven into that region, from
the banks of the St. Lawrence, by their inveterate enemies the Iroquois,
the tales of whose conquests made up a large part of the romance of
Indian history. The priests accompanied them in their expatriation,
and if they could not prevent their sufferings, they shared them.
No portion of these wide domains was secure CTom the conquering Iro-
quois, and they pursued their discomfitted enemies with relentless fury.
Little would be gained by an attempt to describe the events of this
exterminating warfare: Villages were sacked; men, women and chil-
dren murdered; and by day and by night, in winter and in summer,
there was neither rest nor safety for the vanquished. The character of
the missionaries did not exempt them from a full participation in the
misfortunes of their converts, and many of them wore murdered at the
foot of the altar, with the crucifix in their hands, and the name of God
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 5
upon their lips. Many were burned at the stake,* with all the accom-
paniments of savage ingenuity, which add intensity to the pangs of tiie
victims, and duration of their sufferings. But nothing could shake the
fortitude of these apostles of benevolence. The feeble remnant of the
once powerful Wyandottes sought and found refuge among the Sioux,
in the country west of Lake Superior. Here they remained, until the
power of their enemies was reduced by contests with the French, when
they descended the Upper Lakes, and established themselves in this
locality.
The story of a notable institution has survived the general wreck in
which so much of their tradition has perished. Upon the Sandusky
river, and near where the town of Lower Sandusky now stands, lived
a band of the Wyandottes, called the Neutral Nation. They occupied
two villages, which were cities of refuge, where those who sought safety
never failed to find it. During the long and disastrous contests, which
preceded and followed the arrival of the Europeans, and in which the
Iroquois contended for victory, and their enemies for existence, this
little baud preserved the integrity of their territories and the sacred
character of peacemakers. All who met upon their threshold, met as
friends, for the ground on which they stood was holy. It was a beau-
tiful institution ; a calm and peaceful island, looking out upon a world
of waves and tempests.
This neutral nation, so-called by Father Sagard, was still in exist-
ence two centuries ago, when the French missionaries iirst reached the
Upper Lakes. The details of their history and of their character and
privileges, are meagre and unsatisfactory; and this is the more to be
regretted, as such a sanctuary, among barbarous tribes, is not only an
anomalous institution, but altogether at variance with that reckless spirit
of cruelty, with which their wars are usually prosecuted. The Wyandotte
tradition represents them, as having separated from the parent stock,
during the bloody wars between their own tribe and the Iroquois, and
having fled to the Sandusky river for safety. That they here erected
two forts, within a short distance of each other, and assigned one to the
Iroquois, and the other to the Wyandottes and their allies, where their
war-parties might find security and hospitality, whenever they entered
their country. Why so unusual a proposition was made, and acceded
to, tradition does not tell. It is probable, however, that superstition
lent its aid to the pact, and that it may have been indebted for its origin to
the feasts, and dreams, and juggling ceremonies, which constituted the
religion of the Aborigines. No other motive was sufficiently powerful
to stay the hand of violence, and to counteract the threat of vengeance.
Internecine quarrels finally arose in this neutral nation; one party
espousing the cause of the Iroquois, and the other of their enemies, and
like most civil wars, this was prosecuted with relentless fury. One
informant says, that witliin his recollection, the remains of a red cedar
post were yet to be seen where the prisoners were tied previous to
being burned.
JoLiET, Marquette and La Salle
As the course of the French trade first took the route of the Ottawa^'
river, their establishments upon the Upper Lakes, preceded their settle-
ment on the Detroit strait. Soon after the middle of the seventeenth
century, trading posts were established at Michillimackinac, at the
Sault Ste Marie, at Green Bay, at Chicago, and at St. Joseph. It was
soon known, from the reports of the Indians, that a great river flowed
' See Martyrdom of Breboeuf.
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6 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
through the country beyond the lakes, in a southerly direction, and it
became an object witli the Freneli authorities to ascertain its source, its
outlet, and its features. Joliet, an inhabitant of Quebec, and Father
Marquette, the distinguished Jesuit, were employed by the French
Intendant to prosecute this discovery. They ascended the Fox river,
crossed the Portage, descended the Ouiaeonsin, and entered the Missis-
sippi, the 17th of June, 1673. They followed the current to the Arkansas
river, when they were induced by untoward circumstances to return,
leaving unsolved the great question of the place of discharge of this
mighty stream, where it was supposed the French interests would require
a powerful and permanent establishment. They returned by the Illinois,
and reentered Lake Michigan at Chicago,
The consummation of this discovery was reserved for La Salle. He
was a man of genius and cultivated talents. Resourceful, firm in his
resolutions, persevering in his efforts, he seemed destined to enlarge
the geographical knowledge, and to extend the dominion of his country-
men. He built the first vessel that ever navigated these lakes. She
was launched at Erie, and called the "Griffin." La Salle embarked in
her, with everything iiecesary for the prosecution of his undertaking,
and in 1679, ascended the Detroit river. He reached Michilliraackinac,
where he left his vessel, and coasted Lake Michigan in canoes, to the
month of the St. Joseph. The "Griffin" was despatched to Green Bay
for a cargo of furs, but she was never more heard of after leaving that
place. Whether she was wrecked, or captured and destroyed by the
Indians, no one knew at that day, and none can tell now. La Salle
prosecuted his enterprise with great vigor, amid the most discouraging
circumstances. By the abilities he displayed, by the successful result
of his undertaking, and by the melancholy catastrophe which terminated
his own career, he is well worthy a place among that band of intrepid
adventurers, who, commencing with Columbus, have devoted themselves,
with noble ardor, to the extension of geographical knowledge, and have
laid open the recesses of this continent. Among these, there is none,
whose bearing is more lofty or whose adventures, even now, excite a
more thrilling interest, than those of Robert de La Salle.
To trace the incidents of his expedition would be interesting, but
unimportant. It is enough to observe that he reached the Gulf of
Mexico, and saw the mingling of the great waters. From that time, the
French government conceived the splendid project of establishing a
cordon of posts from Quebec, along these lakes and rivers, to the delta
of the Mississippi, by which the Indian tribes might be overawed, the
fur trade secured, and the colonies of their rival confined within com-
paratively narrow limits. This plan was matured, and in the process
of rapid execution, before it attracted the attention of the British
government. Our own "Washington commenced his eventful public life,
by an embassy to the commanding officers of the French posts upon the
Ohio and Alleghany, remonstrating against their advancing establish-
ments ; and his journal evinces the sagacity, with which he foresaw their
plan and its consequences. How different might have been the destiny
of our country had the French program been carried out.
It is difficult, at this day, to trace the causes of the attachment and
aversion, which were respectively manifested by the various tribes, for
the French and English. The former seem to have had a peculiar
facility in identifying themselves with the feelings of the Indians, and in
gaining their affections. But even in this quarter, the seeds of disaffection
were early sown and ripened, as we shall see, into an abundant harvest.
The Fox or Outagami Indians, who then occupied this portion of Mich-
igan, evinced a restless disposition from their first acquaintance with
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 7
the French, and a determined predilection for the English. This was
euitivated by the usual interchange of messages and presents, and an
English trading expedition actually reached Alichillimackinac in 1686.
Detroit, the Key to Supremacy
During such a contest for supremacy, both in power and commerce,
the great advantages otfered l)y an establishment upon the Detroit
river, could not escape the observation of the contending parties. In
fact, it is difficult to conceive why it was so long postponed, and it can
only be accounted for by recollecting that the French had another
and safer way by which they could communicate with the northwestern
regions (that which was opened by the Ottawa river through Canada,
thus avoiding the stormy Lake Huron). If the English entered the coun-
try at all, they must enter by this former route, and a position here was
in fact the key of the whole region above. Influenced by these motives,
the English government seriously contemplated its occupation, but they
were anticipated by the decisive movement of their rivals. A great coun-
cil was convened at Montreal, at which were present all the distinguished
chiefs of the various tribes occupying the country from Quebec to the
Mississippi. It is described by the French historians as the most numer-
ous and imposing assemblage ever collected around one council fire, and
it was attended by the governor-general, and all that was impressive and
powerful in New France. Its discussions, and proceedings, and results
were fully recorded, and have come down to us unimpaired. The whole
policy of the French intercourse with the Indians was considered, and
the wants and complaints of the various parties made known. The
Iroquois stated that they had understood the French general was aiioiit
to establish a post upon the Detroit river, and objected strenuously to
the measure, because the country was theirs, and they had already
prevented the English from adopting the same step. The governor-
general, in answer, informed them that neither the Iroquois nor the
English could claim the country, but that it belonged to the King of
France; and that an expedition, destined for this service, had already
commenced its march. And we collect from the narrative of the proceed-
ings, that in June, 1701, Mons. de la Mothe Cadillac, with one hundred
men and a Jesuit, left Montreal, carrying with them everything neces-
sary for the commencement and support of an establishment, and reached
the site of Detroit in the month of July two hundred and eleven years
^SO. . ...
Here, then, commences the history of Detroit and this viemity, and
with it the history of the Peninsula of Michigan. How numerous and
diversified are the incidents compressed within the period of its exist-
ence ! No place in the United States presents such a series of events,
interesting in themselves and permanently affecting, as they occurred,
its progress and prosperity. Five times its flag has changed, three differ-
ent sovereignties have claimed its allegiance, and since it has been held
by the United States its government has been thrice transferred, twice it
has been besieged by the Indians, and once captured in war.
There exists nowhere a connected account of the progress of the col-
ony; occasional allusions are interspersed through the writings of the
French historians, and detailed descriptions are given of a few of the
more important events, but the whole subject is involved in much obscur-
ity. Statistical facts are altogether neglected. "We have no comparative
estimates of population or production ; no critical investigation into the
character and condition of the country, which render modern history so
valuable and satisfactory. A small stockaded fort was erected at Detroit,
extending from the old arsenal long since demolished and forgotten, to
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8 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Griswold street, and enclosing a few houses, occupied by the persons
attached to the post and the traders. The whole establishment was com-
paratively slight and rude, intended rather to overawe than seriously
to resist the Indians. Only the third year after the position was taken
the Indians in its vicinity were invited to Albany, and many of the
chiefs of the Ottawas actually visited that place. They returned, dis-
afEerted to the French interest, and convinced that the post was estab-
lished here to restrain and eventually to subdue them. They set fire to
the town, but it was fortunately discovered and extinguished before much
injury was done. In the same spirit, and about the same time, a war
party, on their return from a successful expedition against the Iroquois,
paraded in front of the fort and attempted to induce the other Indians
to join them in an attack. Monsieur de Tonti, who theu held the com-
mand, detached the Sieur de Vincennes to repulse them. That officer
executed the duty with so much valor and ability that the Ottawas were
defeated, and in their precipitate flight abandoned their prisoners, who
fell into the hands of the French and were restored to their countrymen.
At that time there were three villages in the vicinity of the fort. One
was a Huron village, the site of which was upon the farm of one Col.
Jones. Another was a Pottawattomie village, afterwards the farm of
Francis Navarre, on the banks of the River Raisin, and the third was a
village of Ottawas, on the Canadian shore and above the town of Detroit.
These were permanently occupied, and great numbers occasionally
resorted here; it is evident from many circumstances that the country
was populous and the people well supplied. Charlevoix, who visited the
River Raisin country in 1721, represents it as the most desirable part of
New France. Game and fish was abundant, and herds of buffalo were
then ranging upon the prairies about the River Raisin. The crops of
fruit were abundant, and there was peace and plenty.
The first serious calamity, which threatened the infant colony with
destruction, arose from an unexpected quarter. Until this time the
Outagamies or Foxes were little known, and no striking event had
directed the attention of the French towards them. "We are therefore
unable to trace the causes which induced them to take up arms or the
means they had provided for the accomplishment of their daring enter-
prise. They appear to have been connected with the Iroquois and with
them to have embraced the English interest. Their history for fifty
years succeeding this period is a history of desperate efforts directed
against the French and many of the tribes around them, evincing a firm-
ness of purpose, a reckless valor and a patient endurance of misfortunes
worthy of a better cause and a better fate.
Outagamies Threaten French Colony
In May, 1712, they determined to destroy the town of Detroit, and in
conformity with the usual tactics of the Indians, made their arrange-
ments secretly and executed them suddenly. Under various pretences
they collected in the neighborhood in great numbers. Du Buisson was
then the French commandant, and his garrison consisted of but twenty
soldiers. The Ottawas, Wyandottes and Potawatomies, upon whose
friendship and assistance he could rely, were absent from their villages
engaged in hunting. An Outagami, who was a Christian convert, dis-
closed to the commander the plot to surprise him before it was ripe for
execution, and he took immediate measures to counteract it. ^ Messen-
gers were sent to call his allies to his assistance, and preparations were
made for a vigorous defence. The Outagamies, finding their object dis-
covered, commenced the attack, but on the 13th of May the French were
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 9
greeted with the sight of a powerful body of their friends, naked, painted
and prepared for battle. The gates of the fort were immediately opened
to them and they entered the council house, where in a conference with
Du Buisson they professed their attachment to the French and their deter-
mination to defend them. They were received and answered cordially,
as their professions and services well merited.
In the meantime the Outagamies had retreated to an entrenched camp
they had previously formed near the spot where Jefferson avenue inter-
sects the eastern boundary of the city. Here they were invested by the
allied forces, and a blockhouse was erected overlooking the defences of
the Outagamies, from which so severe a fire was kept up that they could
not procure water. Their provisions were soon consumed, and hunger
and thirst reduced them to extremity. Despair, however, invigorated
them, and becoming the assailants they succeeded in gaining possession
of a house adjoining the fort; They strengthened this new position and
annoyed their adversaries, who were at length dislodged by the cannon
and driven back to their entrenchments.
At this time they made an effort to terminate hostilities, and with this
view a deputation was sent to Du Buisson. No confidence, however, being
placed in their declarations, either by the French or friendly Indians
their offer was rejected. When the deputation reported the result to the
warriors their indignation excited them to renewed and desperate efforts,
and not less than three hundred arrows, with lighted fagots attached to
them, were discharged at the fort. The houses were generally thatched
with straw and several of them were burned. The others were preserved
by covering them with wet skins.
Outagamies Destkoyed
This determined resistance almost discouraged the French com-
mander. He seriously contemplated evacuating his post and retiring to
Michillimackinac. He convened his allies and disclosed his intention.
They remonstrated against this measure and promised to redouble their
efforts. The war-song was again sung and the parties repaired to their
posts. The attack was so vigorous that the Outagamies were compelled
to withdraw. Many of their bravest chiefs were killed and their fort was
filled with the dead and the dying. They again demanded a parley and
the negotiations were renewed. While these were pending, on the nine-
teenth day of the siege, a tremendous storm arose, and during the night
they abandoned their fort without discovery, and with their women and
children fled to the neck of ground which advances into Lake St. Clair
(east of Mt. Clemens in Macomb county). Here they were pursued, and
being incautiously attacked, the allies were repulsed with considerable
loss. Four days were occupied in efforts to carry this new position, and
on the fifth they succeeded by means of a field battery erected by the
French. The assailants entered the works in arms, and put to death
almost all who had been opposed to them. The women and the children
were spared and divided as slaves among the confederate tribes. The
Outagamies lost more than a thousand warriors in this disastrous expe-
dition.
The subsequent fate of this tribe is not worthy of extended notice.
They collected their scattered bands and established themselves upon the
Fox river. But the same restless and reckless disposition accompanied
them. Like the sons of Hagar, their hand was against every man, and
every man's hand was against them. They commanded the communica-
tion between the lakes and the Mississippi, so that it could only be trav-
ersed by lai^e bodies of armed men. Their war parties were sent out
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10 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
in all directions and they kept the whole region in a continued state of
alarm and danger. Their hostile attitude so seriously menaced the
French interest in that quarter that au expedition was prepared and
detached to subdue them. It was accompanied by the warriors of all the
other tribes, who had been provoked to take signal vengeance by their
fierce and troubled spirit.
The Outagamies had selected a strong position upon the Pox river,
since called Butte des Morts, or "the hill of the dead," which they had
fortified by three rows of palisades and a diteh. They here secured their
women and children and prepared for a vigorous defence. Their en-
trenchments were so formidable that De Louvigny, the French com-
mander, declined an assault and invested the place in form. By regular
approaches he gained a proper distance for mining their works, and was
preparing to blow up one of the outer defences when they proposed a
capitulation. Terms were eventually offered and accepted, and those
who survived the siege were preserved and liberated. But the power of
the tribe was broken and their pride humbled. And since this period no
remarkable incident has occurred in their history.
From 1720 to 1760 solitary facts may be here and there gleaned, but
no continuous account can be given of the condition and progress of
events in this vicinity. The materials are too scanty for an unbroken
narrative. It struggled with all the difficulties, incident to a remote and
exposed position. The savages around, although not often in open hos-
tility, were vindictive and treacherous, and no one could tell when or
how they might attack it. In 1749 considerable additions were made to
the settlements, and emigrants were sent out at the expense of the gov-
ernment, supplied with farming utensils, provisions and other means of
support. The continued wars between France and England, which
filled so large a portion of the eighteenth century, extended their influ-
ence to this quarter, and a company of militia detailed from the inhabi-
tants fought in the great battle where Braddock was defeated and
killed. But it was under the walls of Quebec that the fate of this
country was decided. Upon the plains of Abraham the victor and the
vanquished poured out their lives together, displaying in death, as they
had displayed in life, traits of magnanimity and heroism, worthy of the
best days of chivalry. "Who flies?" asked the expiring Wolf to an
exclamation of one of the mourning group around him. He was an-
swered, "The enemy!" "Then," said he, "I die happy," and imme-
diately expired; a fate at once picturesque and glorious. Victory
crowned alike their standards and death sealed their careers. His rival
in fame, and in all but fortune, Montcalm, nobly supported the honor
of France.
Detroit Falls to the BKrrisii
In 1760 the British under the capitulation of Montreal took posses-
sion of Detroit and the upper posts, and in 1763 these were finally ceded
by France. At this period the French had establishments at St. Joseph,
at Green Bay, at Michillimackinac, at Detroit, at Frenchtown, at the
Maumee and Sandusky. As fortifications, most of these were slight and
temporary intended rather as depots of trade than as military establish-
ments. The positions were selected with much judgment and knowledge
of the country, and they commanded the great avenues of communication
to the world of woods and waters beyond. In succeeding to the power,
however, it was soon found that the English had not succeeded to the
interest and influence of the French. Whatever may have been the cause,
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY ll
the fact is certain that there was, in the French character, a peculiar
adaptation to the habits and feelings of the Indians, and to this day the
period of French domination is the era of all that is happy in Indian
reininiscence.
No sooner had the English obtained possession of the country than
a spirit of disaffection became visible, which extended to all the tribes in
this region and finally led to the conception and execution of a plan
equally able and daring for their overthrow.
PoxTiAc's Conspiracy
There was then upon the stage of action one of those heroic men
who stamp their own characters upon the age in which they live and
who appear destined to survive the lapse of time like some proud and
lofty column which sees, crumbling around it, the temples-of God and
the dwellings of man, and yet rests securely upon its pedestal, time-worn
but time-honored. This man was at the head of the Indian confederacy
and had aciiuired an influence over his countrymen such as had never
before been seen, and such as we may never expect to see q^ain. To form
a just estimate of his character we must judge him by the circumstances
in which he was placed ; by the profound ignorance and barbarism of his
people ; by the circumstance of his own utter lack of education, and by
the jealous, fierce and intractable spirit of his compeers. AVhen meas-
ured by this standard we shall find few of the men, whose names are
familiar to us, more remarkable for all they purposed and achieved
than Pontiac. Were his race destined to endure, until the mists pf
antiquity could gather round his days and deeds, tradition would dwell
upon his feats as it has done in the old world upon all who, in the infancy
of nations, have been prominent actors for evil or for good.
Pontiac was an Ottawa, a celebrated and successful warrior. His
virtues seem to have been his own, and his vices those of his age and
nation. Major Rogers, who conducted to Detroit the first British detach-
ment, was met upon his route by Pontiac and his warriors. He states
that the chief sent to demand why he entered his country and informed
him that he stood in the path and that the troops could not proceed until
their objects were satisfactorily explained. At an interview between
them the British commander assured him his object was not to claim the
country, but to remove from it the French troops who had prevented a
friendly intercourse between the English and the Indians. Wampum
belts were interchanged and the desired permission was given. Pontiac
accompanied them, and by his authority prevented an attack, which was
meditated at the mouth of the river. Major Rogers states that during
the subsequent operations of Pontiac he issued a currency, which was
received by the French settlers and faithfully redeemed by him. These
bills of credit were drawn upon bark and represented the article which
had been delivered to him and were authenticated by the figure of an
otter, the totem of his family. If Rogers has given a faithful narrative
of his proceedings his arrangements were combined with skill and judg-
ment and his designs prcraecuted with great inflexibility of purpose and
a daring, yet cool and tempered courage. We are nowhere told the cause
of disaffection which separated him from the British interest and, in fact,
we have no authentic history of the remarkable occurrences upon this
frontier which accompanied and followed his enterprise. A manuscript
journal has been preserved which records the more prominent facts, but
it is a crude and ilWigested memoir, dilating upon unimportant topics
and worthless as a record. Unfortunately, too, it is mutilated, and the
narrative terminates in the middle of the battle of Bloody Bridge.
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12 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
"At first salutation when we met," says Major Rogers in his narra-
tive, "he demanded my business into his country, and how I happened
to dare to enter it without his leave. When I informed him that it was
not with any desi^ against the Indians that I came, but to remove the
French out of his country, who had been an obstacle in our way to mutual
peace and commerce, and acquainted him ^ith my instructions for that
purpose, i at the sajiie time delivered to him some friendly messages and
belts of wampum, which he received, but gave me no other answer at the
time than that he 'stood in the path I traveled in,' giving me a small ■
string of wampum, saying I must not march farther without his leave.
When he departed for the night he inquired whether I wanted anything
that his country afforded, and he would send his warriors to fetch it. I
assured him that any provisions they brought should be paid for ; and
the next day we were supplied by them with several bags of parched corn,
game and other necessaries. At our second meeting he gave me the pipe
of peace, and both of us by turns smoked with it ; and he assured me that
he had made peace with me and my detachment; that I might pass
through his country unmolested and relieve the French garrison; and
that he would protect me and my party from any insults that might be
offered or intended by the Indians ; and as an earnest of his friendship
he sent a hundred warriors to protect and assist us in driving a hundred
fat cattle, which we had brought for the use of the detachment, from
Pittsburgh, by the way of Presque Isle and the River Raisin. He like-
wise sent to several of the Indian towns on the south side and west end
of Lake Erie to inform thera that I had his consent to enter the country.
He attended me constantly after this interview till I arrived at Detroit,
and while I remained in the country, and was the means of preserving
the detachment from the fury of the Indians who had assembled at the
mouth of the strait, with an intent to cut us off.
"I had several conferences with him in which he displayed great
strength of judgment, and a thirst after knowledge. He endeavored to
inform himself of our military order and discipline. He often intimated
to me that he could be content to reign in his country in subordination
to the King of Great Britain, and was willing to pay him such armual
acknowledgment as he was able, in furs, and to call him his uncle. He
was curious to know our method of manufacturing cloth, iron, etc., and
expressed a great desire to see England, and offered me a part of his
country if I would conduct him there. He assured me that he was
inclined to live peaceably with the English while they used him as he
deserved, and to encourage their settling in his country, but intimated
that if they treated him with neglect he should shut up the way and
exclude them from it. In short, his whole conversation sufficiently indi-
cated that he was far from considering himself as a conquered monarch
and that he expected to be treated with the respect and honor due to a
king or emperor by all who came into his country or treated with him."
In 1763 (resuming the general thread of the narrative) this Indian
had the art and address to draw a niimber of tribes into a confederacy,
with a design, first, to reduce the English forts upon the lakes and then
make a peace suited to his own interests, by which he intended to estab-
lish himself in his imperial authority; and so ably were his measures
formed and executed that in fifteen days' time he reduced or took ten
of our garrisons (which were all we had in his country), except Detroit;
and had he carried this garrison also, nothing was in the way to complete
his scheme. Some of the Indians left him and by his consent made a
separate peace; but he would not be personally concerned in it, saying
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 13
that when he made a peace it should be such an one as would be useful
and honorable to himself and to the king of Great Britain,
Major Bogera continues to state eoneeming his relations with Pon-
tiac: "In 1763, when I went to throw provisions into the garrison at
Detroit, I sent this Indian a bottle of brandy by a Frenchman. His coun-
sellors advised him not to taste it, insinuating that it was poisoned and
sent with a design to kill him, but Pontiac, with a nobleness of mind,
laughed at their suspicions, saying it was not in my power or disposition
to kill him who had so lately saved his life. ' '
Pontiac meditated a sudden and contemporaneous attack upon all
the British posts on these lakes, and upon the forts at Niagara, Presque
Isle, Le Boeuf, Venango and Pittsburgh. His design was to carry them
by treachery, and to massacre their garrisons. He then intended to take
possession of the country, and to oppose the introduction of any British
force. He calculated that these successes would give confidence to ail
the tribes, and unite them in a general confederacy. His first object
was to gain the loyal support of his own tribe and of the warriors, who
generally attended him. Topics, to engage their attention and inflame
their passions, could not be wanting. A belt was exhibited, which he
pretended to have received from the King of France, at the same time
urging him to drive the British from the country and to open the paths
for the return of the French. The British troops had foolishly neglected
to conciliate the Indians, and mutual causes of complaint existed. Some
of the Ottawas had been disgraced by blows. But above all, and worse
than all, the British were intruders in the country, and would, ere long,
conquer the Indians, as they had conquered the French, and wrest from
them their lands.
After these measures had been skillfully managed, a great council
was convened at the Biver aux Ecorces, when Pontiac addressed the In-
dians with eloquence and effect. He called to his aid their prevalent
superstition, and related a dream, in which the Great Spirit had recently
disclosed to a Delaware Indian the conduct he expected his red children
to pursue. I shall not occupy space by a recital of the various circum-
stances attending the translation of this seer, from earth to heaven.
They were distinctly narrated by Pontiac, and such is the effect of super-
stition upon the savage mind, that they were perhaps related with as
much good faith as they were received. In the interview between the
Great Spirit and his chosen minister to the Indians, minute instructions
were given for their conduct in this, the peculiar crisis of their fate.
They were directed to abstain from ardent spirits, and to east from them
the manufactures of the white man. To resume their bows and arrows,
and the skina of the animals for clothing. "And why," said the Great
Spirit, indignantly to the Delaware, "why do you suffer these dogs in
red clothing to enter your country and take the land I gave you 1 Drive
them from it, and when you are in distress T will help you,"
The speech of Pontiac and the dream of the Delaware produced a
powerful effect upon the wild and reckless multitude, who eagerly lis-
tened to the tales of their wrongs, and the offer of revenge. A plan of
operation was concerted, and belts and speeches were sent to secure the
co-operation of the Indians along the whole line of the frontier.
In the month of May, 1763, the preparatory arrangements having
been completed, the Indians commenced a sudden and simultaneous
attack upon each of the twelve British posts, extending from Niagara
to Green Bay in the northwest, and to Pittsburg in the aouthweat. So
well had their plana been laid and so secretly guarded that the storm
hurst upon the garrisons, before they had time to learn the intentions
of their enemies; much less to prepare for them. And a more signal
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14 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
proof eannot be givon of the deep and deadly feeling of tlie Indians, and
of the intiueuetj exercised over them by Pontiae, than is furnished by
the progress of this enterprise. In a period of profound peace and along
a line of frontier extending a thousand miles, and secured upon all the
important points by fortified posts, simultaneous attacks were made with-
out the slightest suspicion being excited on the part of the British. Nine
of these posts were captured. The circumstances attending the surprise
of Michillimackinac are better known than those which led to the success
of the Indians at any other place. The fort was then upon the main
land, near the northern point of the peninsula. The Ottawas, to whom
the assault was committed, prepared for a great game of ball, to which
the officers were invited. While engaged in play one of the parties grad-
ually inclined towards the fort, and the other pressed after them. The
ball was once or twice thrown over the pickets, and the Indians were
suffered to enter and procure it. Almost all the garrison were present
as spectators, and those upon duty were negligent and unprepared.
Suddenly the ball was again thrown into Ihe fort, and all the Indians
rushed after it. The rest of the tale is told. The troops were butchered
and the fort destroyed.
Siege of Fort Detroit
Upon the possession of Detroit, however, depended, in the opinion of
the Indians, the ultimate issue of their project. Its capture would re-
lease the French inhabitants of the strait from their temporary allegiance
to the British and would unite their line of operations by this connecting
link. Its reduction, therefore, was undertaken by Pontiae in person.
The half bastioned work was not at this period erected. That was pro-
jected and completed during the Revolutionary war when an attack was
apprehended from the struggling colonies. And this apprehension was
not without cause, for as early as 1776, Congress, in secret session,
directed the plan of an expedition against Fort Detroit, and an estimate
of the expense to be prepared and submitted to them. And, on a subse-
quent day this inquiry was extended to the necessary means for securing
the naval ascendancy upon Lake Erie. The expedition, however, was
not undertaken. The pressure of more immediate danger probably with-
drew the attention of Congress from so remote and doubtful an enter-
prise.
We may infer from the diary which has been preserved, of the occur-
rences of the siege and from the traditionary descriptions, which can be
eoUected, that the town was enclosed by a single row of pickets, forming
nearly the four sides of a square. That there were blockhouses at the
corners and over the gates, and on open spaces called the Chemin du
Bonde, (Road around,) intervened between the houses and the pickets,
forming a place of arms, encircling the town. The fortifications did not
extend to the river, and during the siege all the gates were closed, except
the water gate, which opened toward the stream. Two armed vessels
were anchored in front of the town, and formed an important portion
of its defences. One of these was the Beaver. The name of the other is
not known. There were in the fort two six-pounders, one three-pounder,
and three mortars. But they were badly mounted and rather calculated
to terrify than to annoy the Indians. Major Gladwin had superseded
Major Campbell a few days before in the command, and the garrison
consisted of one hundred and twenty-two men and eight officers. To
these were added forty traders and engagees, who resided in the town.
Such was the relative situation of the British and Indians, when
Pontiae, having completed his arrangements, on the 8th of May, 1763,
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 15
presented hiinaeif at the gates of the town with a considerable body of
his warriors, and requested a council with the commanding officers. His
plan was well devised, and had it been secretly kept, must have been suc-
cessful. The Indians had sawed off their rifles so short as to conceal
them under their blankets. One of the most intelligent French inhabit-
ants of Detroit, Col. Beaufait, stated that his father, returning that day
from the fort, met Pontiac and his party upon Bloody Bridge. One of
the warriors was his particular friend, and as he passed him he threw
aside his blanket, and exhibited the shortened rifle, intimating at the
same time the project they had in view. The Indian chief intended to
meet the British commander in Council, and at a given signal, which was
to be the presentation of a belt of wampum in a particular manner, his
attendants were to massacre all the officers, and rushing to the gates to'
open them and admit the band of warriors who were to be ready on the
outside for immediate entrance. An indiscriminate slaughter was to
follow, together with the demolition of the fort, and the annihilation of
the British power.
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CHAPTER II
PONTIAC, THE GREAT OTTAWA
Character of the Indian Leader — His Ambitious Plan— The Attack
ON Detroit — The Conspiracy Thwarted — When Death Hovered
— The Red Men Depart — Major Gladwin's Position — ^Death op
Major Campbek,l— Indians Capture Relief Expedition — ^Massacre
AT "Bloody Run" — Pontiac Raises the Siege— Bybd and Claek
Expedition — Posts Pass into American Hands.
AUhough the French surrendered the territory held by them until
1760, when the British occupation began, and their chief military leaders
had returned to France, the English were not permitted to possess the
land for long before a dangerous and secret foe sought their destruction.
They had taken no pains to cultivate the friendship of the French
families who remained in the settlements, nor to exercise tact and pru-
dence towards them, consequently there was little attachment for the
new government; meanwhile the hostility of the Indiana had deepened.
Whereas they had always been on quasi friendly terms with the French,
who by their suave manners and hospitable treatment had won their
good will, they cordially hated the English, and hoped for their speedy
overthrow.
Character op the Indian Leader
Pontiac, ambitious, crafty, powerful, aimed to accomplish a federa-
tion of all the western tribes, and to precipitate a war of extermination
upon aU the English posts west of the Alleghany mountains. He was
well qualified to originate and carry forward such a plan; he was an
eifective, magnetic speaker, a bold, able and cunning warrior; having
won first place among all the Indians of his day ; added to which qualifi-
cations was the greater one of a sagacious and far seeing general who
could not only originate, but manage the most complicated plans.
His Ambitious Plan
Pontiac 's present plan, as has been stated, was for an attack upon all
the English posts west of the AUeghanies, at about the same time. The
Indians were to massacre the soldiers of the garrisons, and thus, at a
single stroke, they hoped to rid themselves of the presence of a people
whom they hated and regarded as intruders upon their own domains
throughout the western valleys. The plan of operations included a line
of posts scattered from Niagara to Chicago, twelve forts in all, three
of which were in Michigan, viz.: Detroit, Michillimackinae and St.
Joseph. Pontiac 's ambassadors were sent to instruct the various tribes
of Indians and succeeded in enlisting alt of the Algonquins, most of the
Wyaiidottes, and some of the southern tribes in this undertaking.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 17
The Attack on Detroit
The proposed attack oh Detroit was to be led by Pontiac in person,
and he it was who planned the enterprise which, but for the bravery
of the young woman, who through her love for Gladwin, probably, or for
some other motive, revealed the plot which she had overheard discussed
in her father's house, would have been successful in the capture of De-
troit at that time, and the awful massacre which would inevitably have
followed. The crafty chief sought an interview with Major Gladwin,
commandant of the post, on the 7th of May, which was granted, and
Pontiac, accompanied by sixty chiefs armed with rifles which had been
shortened to the length of three feet for concealment under their blan-
kets. They were admitted, when followed one of the most dramatic
scenes ever witnessed in military annals, and which is faithfully por-
trayed in that interesting historical romance, "The Heroine of the
Strait," by Mary Catherine Crowley from which we take the liberty to
make extracts.
The Consciracy Thwarted
On the prairie outside the stockade many Indians began to gather,
young braves who made a feint of playing at lacrosse, squaws and
children apparently spectators of the game. Within the fort, the garri-
son was under arms. Stirling (a young Scotch merchant of high stand-
ing) and the English fur traders had closed their storehouses and armed
their men ; all awaited with calm courage the result of the approaching
interview. At ten o'clock in the morning, Pontiac and his followers
reached the gate that faced the Cote dii Nord-est. It stood open, and as
he passed in his immobile countenance betrayed no surprise at sight of
the soldiers who lined both sides of the narrow street, their weapons
gleaming in the sunshine. The roll of the tamhour, like the growl of a
mastiff, warned him to beware ; but haughtily raising his head he led
his warriors toward the council house, while from the homes of the
French, the frightened women and children watched them as they
passed by.
The door of the British headquarters was also ajar and entering they
found Major Gladwin and his officers. Each of the white men wore a
pair of pistols in his belt, and a sword at his side. The principal chiefs
seated themselves upon the skins that !iad been spread for them, the
others ranged around the walls and crowded the hallway; the place
swarmed with them.
When Death Hovered
For a time the silence was unbroken. Then the Great Ottawa, turn-
ing to the commandant, asked with aifected mildness: "How is it that so
many of my father's young men stand in the street with their guns?
Does my father expect the soldiers of the French?"
Gladwin spoke a few words to the interpreter. La Butte, and the
latter repeated them in the Indian tongue: "The commandant has
ordered the young men under arms, to keep them ever prompt and ready
in the military drill," he said significantly. "Thus, if a war comes they
will be ready to flght well."
The sixty assembled chiefs remained grim and dumb, their eyes
turning from Pontiac to Gladwin and furtively watching the guards in
the room. Their severe training which taught them to endure even tor-
ture with stolidity stood them now in good stead ; not an eye quailed,
not by the least motion did they betray the deadly purpose of their
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18 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
coming. They were ready to slay or be slain. The manner whoreby their
chief should present the peace belt would decide the life or death of
six hundred human beings at least.
After a time Pontiac rose and addressed Gladwin. "My father," said
he, "we are come in friendship for the English. You are great chiefs.
You have driven the French warriors from Le Detroit, because you are
mighty in battle. The Ottawas and all the tribes of the country of the
strait, wish to show you their good will and to smoke with you the pipe
of peace. In token of this friendship, I, Pontiac, the chief of many
tribes, offer you this belt of wampum."
As the great chief began to unfasten the white belt from his girdle,
the guards in the hall clicked the locks of their muskets, the officers half
drew their swords from their scabbards, the officer at the door signaled
to the long row of armed soldiers stationed in front of the entrance;
the drums rolled the assembly, and the soldiers made a noisy clatter of
arms. Death hovered in the air, Pontiac felt its nearness. His hand
did not tremble, the belt was unfastened ; he retained it an instant in
hesitation. All present seemed to stop breathing. Then he handed it
to Gladwin in the usual fashion, and death passed them by.
It was now Gladwin's turn to speak. Having received the belt, he,
with cold scorn poured upon Pontiac and his followers words of bitter
reproach. "False redmen, you have sought to deceive me with lies and
to slay me by treachery" he cried. "But I know your baseness. You
are armed, every warrior among you, like this brave at my side." He
rose from his chair of state, stepped to the nearest. Indian and snatching
open the folds of his blanket revealed the shortened gun concealed be-
neath.
"My father does us wrong, he does not believe; then we will go," re-
plied Pontiac, getting upon his feet.
"When you asked to hold a council with me I agreed that you should
be free to go forth again. I will abide by that promise, little as you de-
serve such clemency," proceeded the commandant. "Howbeit, mur-
derous dogs, you had best make your way out of the fort lest my young
men, being made acquainted with your evil design, may fall upon you
and cut you to pieces, as you richly deserve. Go ! "
The Red Men Depaet
Pontiac 's eyes gleamed with anger, but with royal dignity he gath-
ered his blanket about his broad shoulders and walked slowly from the
council room and out between the double file of soldiers, followed by his
warriors.
Silent and sullen they filed once more through the town. The gates
of the palisade which had been closed during the conference were again
thrown open and the defeated savages were permitted to depart, con-
gratulating themselves, no doubt, as fhey reached the open prairie.
Major Gi-adwin's Position'
When they were finally all gone, there was great rejoicing in the fort.
It was the general belief that since Major Gladwin had unmasked the .
scheme of the Indians and yet shown them mercy, he had thus disposed
of the whole matter, and they would in future be more favorably dis-
posed towards the English. Sterling did not, however, share this feeling,
and in the afternoon he called at headquarters to offer himself for
whatever service might be required of him. Having stated his errand
to the commandant, he added bluntly; "In faith. Major Gladwin, I
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 19
regret that you suffered those perfidious Indians to escape. An en-
trapped wolf meets with no quarter from the hunter, and a savage
caught in his treachery has no claim to f orhearance. "
"Mr. Sterling," replied the major, drawing himself up to his full
height, "it is not incumbent upon me to explain my position to any one
at the Strait. Nevertheless I will say, that had I arrested the chiefs
when they were gathered at a public council, the act would have been
ill interpreted by both the French and the savages. I trust, however,
that the threatened war cloud will soon blow over."
The Indians immediately retired and as soon as they had passed
the gate they gave the yell and tired upon the garrison. They then
proceeded to the commons where was living an aged English woman
with her two sons. These they murdered and then repaired to Isle aux
Coehon (Hog Island), where a discharged sergeant resided with his
family, who were all but one, immediately massacred. Thus was the
war commenced.
There were several buildings surrounding the fort, and but a short
distance from it. Behind these and the picket fences the Indians sta-
tioned themselves and commenced a violent fire upon the British. This
was returned ; but such was the situation of both parties that little injury
was done. The firing, however, was continued for some days, the Indians
anticipating much more serious eifects from these attacks than were
actually experienced by their enemies. The British commander was
ignorant of the system of tactics which teaches the Indians to consider
the sacrifice of human life as dishonorable, and the weakness of his
defences led him to fear an assault. Believing his position in such an
event would be untenable, preparations were made for an immediate
embarkation on board the vessels and a retreat to Niagara. The positive
assurances, however, of the principal French inhabitants that so hazard-
ous a measure would never be adopted by the Indians reassured him, and
in the course of a few days all the wooden buildings, without the fort,
which could afford security to the besiegers were burned, either by hot
shot or by sorties which were made by the garrison. The Indians couid
then only annoy the fort by approaching the summit of the low ridge
which overlooked the pickets where they continued their fire from time
to time.
Major Campbell who had been superseded by Major Gladwin still
remained in the fort. He had-held the command since the surrender of
the country and was well known to the Indians. He seemed to have exer-
cised his authority moderately, and wisely and was esteemed both by
them and the Canadians. Pontiac conceived the design of getting this
olificer into his possession and holding him as a pledge for the surrender
of the fort. For this purpose he requested some of the French inhabit-
ants, who were the means of communication between the British and the
Indians, to inform Major Campbell he wished an interview with him at
his camp that they might terminate the present difficulties and smoke
the pipe of peace together. He promised solemnly that Major Campbell
should be permitted to go and come in perfect safety. Messrs. Godfroy
and Chapoton, who had visited him upon this occasion, were deceived
by his professions and promises, and advised Major Campbell to meet
him. Such was the anxiety of all to bring to a conclusion this irksome
warfare that this officer, accompanied by Lieut. McDougall, repaired to
Pontiac's camp in the hope of making a satisfactory arrangement with
him. They were at first well received ; hut without entering into the
details of the story it is sufficient to observe that they were ultimately
detained and held as hostages. Pontiac offered Major Campbell's life
for the surrender of the fort, apparently not aware that one violation of
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20 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
good faith must destroy all confidence between contending parties, and
that in this case any sudden impulse might lead to the massacre of the
garrison as easily as it had led to the detention of Major Campbell.
Death op Major Campbell
The meianchoiy fate of this self-devoted officer adds another to the
many proofs which our intercourse with the Indians has furnished of
the little confidence to be placed in their promises made in the excite-
ment of war. Major Campbell and Lieut. McDougail were detained at the
house of Mr. Meloche at Bloody Bridge. They were allowed occasionally
to walk out, but the Indians were so numerous around that escape was
difficult and hazardous. Lieut. McDougail, however, proposed to his
fellow-prisoner to make an attempt, but as his vision was very imperfect
he declined, that he might not impede the flight of his friend. McDougail
reached the fort in safety. During one of the sorties made by the British
an Ottawa chief of some distinction from Michillimackinae was killed.
His nephew, who was present, determined upon revenge, hastened in-
stantly to Bloody Bridge, where he found Major Campbell walking in the
road. He approached and struck him dead with his tomahawk. He then
fled to Saginaw, apprehensive of the vengeance of Pontiae ; and it is but
justice to the memory of that chief to say that he was indignant at this
atrocious act and used every exertion to apprehend the murderer, who
would no doubt have paid with his life for his cowardly murderous act.
Indians) Capture Relief ExPEDmoN
On the 21st of May the small vessel was despatched to Niagara to
hasten the arrival of the reinforcement, and the provisions and ammuni-
tion which were expected for the place ; and on the ^Oth, the sentinel on
duty announced that a fleet of boats was coming round the point at the
Huron church. The whole garrison flocked to the bastions, eagerly antici-
pating the arrival of their friends. But they were greeted with no sounds
of joy. The death cry of the Indians, that harbinger of misery, alone
broke upon the ear. The fate of the detachment was at once know-n.
The Indians had ascertained their approach and had stationed a party
of warriors at Point Pelee. Twenty-three bateaux, laden with all the
stores necessary for the defence of the town and the subsistence of the
garrison, and manned by a detachment of troops, landed at this place
in the evening, ignorant of danger and unsuspicious of attack. The
enemy watched all night and about the dawn of day rushed upon them.
An officer and thirty men threw themselves into a boat and crossed the
lake to Sandusky bay. All the others were killed or taken. The line of
barges ascended the river on the opposite shore, escorted by the Indians
upon the bank and guarded by detachments in each boat, in full view of
the garrison and of the whole French settlement. The prisoners were
compelled to navigate the boats. As the first bateaux arrived opposite
to the town, four British soldiers determined to effect their liberation or
to perish in the attempt. They suddenly changed the course of the boat
and by loud cries made known their intention to the crew of the vessel.
The Indians in the other boats and the escort upon the bank fired upon
the fugitives, but they were soon driven from their positions by a can-
nonade from the armed schooner. The guard on board this boat leaped
overboard, and one of them dragged a soldier with him into the water,
where both of them were drowned. The others escaped to the shore and
the boat reached the vessel, with another soldier wounded. Lest the other
prisoners might escape, they were immediately landed and marched up
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 21
the shore to the lower point of Hog Island, now Belle Isle park, where
they^ crossed the river and were immediately put to death with alt the
horrible aecompauiments of savage cruelty.
On the third of June the important information of a peace between
France and England and of the cession of the country to the latter
reached the fort. It was immediately communicated to the French in-
habitants, who found their position essentially changed by this measure.
Until now they were prisoners upon capitulation ; a neutral party between
the belligerents. They had conducted themselves with the most exemp-
lary fidelity, and during the whole siege, very few Canadians were known
to have connected themselves with the Indians, and these were held in
abhorrence by their countrymen and were compelled by their indigna-
tion eventually to flee and seek shelter in Illinois. The operations of
the war had pressed heavily upon them. At first their cattle were killed
and provisions taken whenever a hungry or drunken party chose to
distress them. Pontiac soon became satisfied that this indiscriminate
plunder would leave the French people, as well as his own, without
the means of support, and contributions were afterwards regularly
levied and supplies furnished through a commissariat instituted by
him. Finding, however, that these means were inadequate to the reduc-
tion of the fort, he assembled the principal French inhabitants in
council, and in the presence of all his warriors presented them with a
war-belt, and told them if they were French they would accept it; if
they were English he would make war upon them. One of the principal
inhabitants was appointed by the others to speak for them and he
exhibited the articles of peace between the French and British govern-
ments, and said to Pontiac : "My brother, you see that our arms are
tied by your great father, the king; untie this knot and we will join
you. Till that is done we shall sit quietly upon our mats." After
much discussion the assembly dispersed without any satisfactory
arrangement. And the French inhabitants resisted all the efforts of
the Indians to induce them to unite with them. At this time the
vessel which had been despatched to Niagara arrived at the mouth of
the river with about sixty troops on board, and a supply of provisions
and ammunition. The wind was light and baffling and the Indians made
every effort to capture her. The warriors quit the siege and repaired to
Fighting Island, determined to board the ve^el as she ascended the river.
I find no authority for the account usually given nor records of any kind
giving the circumstances attending the attack on this vessel or of the
order given by her captain to blow her up when the Indians were about
to ascend her deck. She left the mouth of the river, where the Indians
had annoyed her in their canoes, with a favorable breeze, which, however,
failed as she reached the point of Fighting Island, where she was com-
pelled to anchor. The captain had concealed his men in the hold, so
that the Indians were not aware of the strength of the crew. Soon
after dark they embarked in their canoes and proceeded to board the
vessel. The men were silently ordered up and took their stations at
the guns. The Indians were suffered to approach close to the vessel,
when the captain, by the stroke of a hammer upon the mast, a signal
which had been previously concerted, gave the signal for action. An
immediate discharge took place and the Indians precipitately fied,
with many killed and wounded. The next morning the vessel dropped
down to the mouth of the river, where she remained six days, waiting
for a favorable wind. On the thirtieth she succeeded in ascending
the river and reached the fort in safety.
Pontiac felt the necessity of destroying these ve^els and he therefore
constructed rafts for that purpose. The barns of some of the inhabitants
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22 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
were demolished and the materials employed in this work. Pitch and
other combustibles were added, and the whole so formed as to bum with
rapidity and intensity. They were of considerable length and were towed
to a proper position above the vessels, when Are was applied and they
were left to the stream in the expectation that they would be carried into
contact with the vessels and immediately set Are to them. Twice the
attempt was made and unsnceessfully. The British were aware of the
design and took their measures accordingly. Boats were constructed and
anchored with chains above the vessels, and every precaution was used to
ward off the blow. The blazing rafts passed harmlessly by and other
incidents soon occurred to engage the attention of the Indians. On the
29th of July a fleet of boats was sighted ascending the river. Anxious
to ascertain whether they had escaped the attack of the Indians, a gun
was fired from the fort, which was immediately answered by the boats,
each of which carried four swivels and two mortars, and on board the
whole was a detachment of three hundred regular troops under the com-
mand of Capt. Dalyell, an aide-de-camp of Sir Jeffrey Amherst, the Brit-
ish commander-in-chief.
Massaceb at "Bloody Run "
That evening arrangements were made for an attack upon the Indian
eamp. Unfortunately these were not so secretly conducted but that in-
formation was carried to the Indians. Their women and their children
were immediately removed and their plan of operation formed. A party
of warriors was stationed behind the pickets upon the Dequindre farm
and another party upon the farm at Bloody Bridge, protected by pickets
and piles of cord-wood, and concealed in the high grass. A detachment
of three hundred men left the fort about an hour before day and marched
rapidly up the bank, expecting to surprise the Indians. They were suf-
fered to reach the bridge over "Bloody Run," and to proceed about half
way across it before a gun was fired, or the slightest movement indicated
that the enemy was aware of their approach. Suddenly a volley was
poured upon the troops, who were thrown into instant confusion. They
fought with desperate bravery, but the darkness of the night, the nature
of an Indian attack and the unfavorable position they occupied rendered
their fate critical and perilous. Capt. Dalyell fell at the first discharge
when the command devolved upon Capt, Grant. The detachment was
attacked upon the left flank and upon the front and rear. Thus nearly
surrounded, it was instantly perceived that nothing but the most vigorous
efforts could rescue them. It was necessary to drive the enemy from their
position before a retreat could be undertaken, A chaise was ordered
and it was promptly and vigorously effected. The Indians fell back
before the bayonet and were repulsed in every direction. The detach-
ment extricated themselves from their perilous situation and at length
reached the fort. They lost in this disastrous affair seventy men killed
and forty wounded.
PoNTiAC Raises the Siege
From this period nothing important occurred in the prosecution of
the siege, Pontiae, whether satisfied with the success he had gained or
discouraged by the defence of the place, relaxed in his efforts, and the
Indians soon began to depart for their wintering grounds. All was quiet
during the winter, and in the spring the various hands as they arrived
professed their desire for peace. In the course of the season Gen. Brad-
street reached Detroit with a well appointed army of three thousand men.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 23
Tradition says that in passing the rock-bound coast west of Cleveland he
encountered a violent storm, in which he lost a number of boats and
manynien. Certainly the imagination cannot conceive a more awful
situation than that of an army enclosed by a raging sea on one side and
an eternal rampart of rocks on the other.
General Eradstreet landed at Sandusky, and at the Maumee, and dis-
persed the Indians, whom he found there burning their villages and
destroying their cornfields. He reached Detroit without opposition. All
the tribes in this region immediately visited him, and peace was firmly
established. Pontiae, either distrusting the professions of the British or
t«o much exasperated to live cordially with them, declined any inter-
course with their troops and took no part in the pending negotiations.
He abandoned the country and repaired to the Illinois. Here, for some
cause, which has not been explained, he was assassinated by a Peoria
Indian. Such was the respect inspired by his talents and services that
the Ottawas, Potawatamies and Chippewas considered his death as a
public misfortune and its atonement a sacred duty. They commenced a
war upon the Peorias, in which that tribe was almost exterminated and
from which they never recovered.
A few years of tranquility succeeded these stormy events. They were
employed by the British authorities in extending and consolidating their
power and by their citizens in a vigorous and profitable prosecution of
the fur trade. No effort was made by the British government to promote
the settlement of the country. A system of conciliation towards the
Indians was adopted and persevered in; and in a few years that bitter
animosity which was the fruit of a century of hostilities gradually gave
way and they became firmly attached to the British interests.
But that great event ivas now approaching, which has produced such
important changes in the moral and political stage of the world. The
contest between the mother country and her colonies soon absorbed all
({uestions of minor interest upon the continent and the active employ-
ment of the Indian force became a favorite object in the British policy.
Detroit from its position and from the associations of the Indians was
the controlling point of influence, where parties were organized and
equipped, and whence they were dispatched to lay waste our frontier
and to do the other nameless deeds of horror. It was a warfare to dis-
tress, not to subdue. War parties were going and returning during the
whole progress of the revolution. They went with presents and promises,
and they returned with scalps and booty.
Bybd and Clark Expeditions
Two expeditions, however, were undertaken, more important in their
character and results than the ordinary marauding enterprises to which
we have alluded. One of these was led by Capt. Byrd, whose force was
composed of a detachment of regular troops, some militia and a numerous
body of Indian warriors. They left Detroit in boats, well provided with
provisions and munitions of war. They ascended the Maumee and de-
scended the Miami river to the Ohio. The first object of the expedition
was an attack upon Louisville, but the unusually wet season and conse-
quent high stage of the water induced him to ascend the Licking and
strike at the posts in the interior of Kentucky. "With this view he ap-
peared suddenly before Ruddle's station, and as he was supplied with
cannon and led a well appointed force, all hope of resistance was aban-
doned and the garrison surrendered upon promise of safety and protec-
tion from the Indians. It is needless to add that the promise was utterly
disregarded. Byrd proceeded a few miles further and captured another
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24 HISTOBY OF MONROE COUNTY
small stockade, called Martin's station. His progress spread consterna-
tion through tlie country and efforts were made to collect a force to op-
pose him. Before this could be organized he suddenly abandoned his
enterprise and precipitately withdrew. His motives for this procedure
are unknown. Whatever they may have been, Kentucky was relieved
from the most imminent danger to which she had ever been exposed.
George Rogers Clark was one of those men who seemed born to con-
duct our country through the troubles and dangerous scenes of the revo-
lution. He pc^sessed that quick perception, that instant decision, that
fruitful resource, that power over others and that confidence in himself
which constitute the great military leader. Whether the theatre of opera-
tions be great or small, an empire or an Indian frontier, the genius of
such a man must lead him to command as surely as it will lead him to
success.
General Clark had been despatched by the Virginia government to
defend the Kentucky frontier, then feeble and exposed. He soon became
satisfied that the most effectual means of attaining this object was by
capturing the British posts in the Illinois country. He accordingly de-
scended the Ohio and reduced Kaskaskia, Cahokia and the small estab-
lishments in that quarter. When information of his success reached De-
troit, Governor Hamilton resolved to dislodge him and for this purpose
collected all the regular troops, militia and Indians who could be spared
from the defence of this frontier. He proceeded to Vincennes and there
halted, determined to attack his enemy as soon as the season for field
operations should commence. His plan was to regain the Itrat posts and
to destroy Clark's detachment; then to cross the Ohio and sweep the
infant settlements of Kentucky before him, giving up, to murder and
devastation, the inhabitants and their property. But his design was
anticipated and frustrated by one of those bold and decisive movements
which marks the character of a general and determines the fate of nations,
Clark received information from a Spanish merchant that his enemy, was
careless and in fancied security, and had detached a part of his force
to watch the Ohio river and to harrass the frontiers. He immediately
prepared a small boat and put on board the supplies for his troops. He
ordered her to proceed to the Wabash and, taking post a few miles below
Vineennes, to permit nothing to ascend or descend the river. He then, in
the depth of winter, set out for that place with his whole disposable force,
amounting to only one hundred and thirty men. He was sixteen days
crossing the country and during five of these he was employed in wading
through the inundated prairies of the Wabash. For five miles his detach-
ment marched with the water to their breasts. After surmounting these
obstacles he suddenly appeared before Vineennes, and by the stratagem
of presenting a tree, shaped like a cannon, he persuaded Hamilton that
he had brought artillery with him. His decisive movement and the sur-
prise and consternation of the enemy led to the surrender of the fort
upon the first summons. Hamilton himself and a few of those counsellors
who had been most active in promoting his system of savage barbarities
were sent to Virginia in irons. The militia from this quarter were per-
mitted to return.
Posts Pass Into American Hands
The revolution terminated with the recognition of our independence.
The subsequent events in the history of the territory are familiar to all.
Difficulties soon arose respecting the surrender of the posts. An Indian
war was the consequence and the campaigns of Harmar, St. Clair and
Wayne were successively prosecuted before peace was established. The
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 25
part taken by the British autliorities here to encourage the Indians in
hostilities and to aid their operations are matters of history ; and General
Wayne, in the official report of his victory at the Maumee, states that a
company of militia from Detroit was associated with the Indians and
fought in their ranks. It is well known to the old inhabitants that the
clerk of the court, one Smith, was at the head of this company and was
killed in the action.
There is neither pleasure nor profit to be derived from a contempla-
tion of the revolting scenes which stain the pages of our early history ;
but history is not the panegyric of human actions; as it is its province
to preserve the names of heroes, it must also perpetuate the memory of
the instigators of the atrocious deeds done in the name of war.
In the beginning of June, 1796, Capt. Porter, with a detachment of
American troops, entered Fort Detroit, which had been previously evacu-
ated by the British. The American flag was displayed and the dominion
of the country peaceably transferred.
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CHAPTER ni
INDIAN HISTORY AND LEGENDS
Legendary Loee— Schoolcraft and His Indian Wipe — Irish-Indian
Romance — The Red Man's Fairies and Brownies — -SupEBSTmoNS
OP Early Settlers — ^Worship op the Great Spirit— Tradition op
THE Sacred Fire — Fading op the Michigan Pottawatamies — Visit
TO Chief Chenagae — Driving the Miamis — Last Battle at Tippe-
canoe.
Enveloped in the clouds of deepest mystery, as the origin of the
North American Indians must always remain, there is, nevertheless,
a never-tiring interest in the paths that are open for research and
inquiry in this direction. Of their own records there are none ; desti-
tute of methods of inscription upon any durable material, utterly
ignorant of the art of writing, they possess few, if any. landmarks or
memorials of the past. With them memory has no such resting places,
yet their knowledge is by no means confined to the narrow limits of
individual experiences. A knowledge of their own remote origin, of their
men of renown in the shadowy past, of their many and devious migra-
tions, of their tribal offshoots and divisions into bands in former gen-
erations, has been found to be surprisingly well diffused among the tribes.
Legendary Lobe
Gleaned along the pathways of centuries, this information was
gathered up and transmitted solely by means of oral tradition. Legend-
ary lore was taught to groups of listening youths by the aged, while
gathered around the lodge fire. It figured in their religious rites and
ceremonies, and at stated intervals it provided the inspiration for
eloipient appeals to the budding warriors. It is to be supposed that as
they assembled under the wide branching primeval forest trees, all the
young braves, the chiefs, and the sages gathered from this steady light
of tradition their systems, of social and conventional life. The power
of memory thus cultivated and strengthened by habit became wonder-
fully acute and tenacious ; it was doubtless realized that in this lay their
only hope of perpetuating the tribal laws for regulating and guarding
personal as well as community rights and franchises, and the very
esistenee of the race itself.
Schoolcraft and His Indian Wife
The Indians delighted in story-telling according to Mrs. School-
craft, who left a rich store of the material which she had gathered from
her people, both before and after her romantic marriage with that
accomplished scholar, Henry R. Schoolcraft, to whom the world is more
indebted than to any other, for a true and faithful history of the
26
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 27
aborigines of the northwest, and their life in a region which wes so
long a sealed booli to the white man. His opportunities for prosecuting
his studies in a field so perfectly congenial were unlimited, and the
intelligent use he made of them has resulted in a fund of information
and knowledge of a subject of which otherwise the world would have been
deprived. In the writing of his studies of the Indian language and
history, he received most valuable aid from his wife, who was the
granddaughter of that illustrious and powerful Ojibway chief,
Wa-ba-goeig (White Fisher). Her Indian name was O-sha-gus-eo-day-
way-gua (The Woman of the White Mountain), and her father was
John Johnston, one of the first English speaking residents of Sault
Ste. Marie.
Irish-Indian Romance
Tliere is a pretty little romance connected with the union of this
great chief's daughter to the bright, intrepid Irishman. Johnston was
a native of Antrim county, Ireland, and came to Canada in 1792. His
mother was a sister of Bishop Sauvin of Dromore and of the Attorney
General of Ireland. Johnston, instead of remaining in Canada, con-
cluded to visit the Soo, and did so a little later, for the purpose of
establishing a trading post, finally selecting La Pointe at the head of
St. Mary's river, as the most eligible site. Not long after his arrival
in this region, he became enamored of the dusky maiden, the bright
and beautiful Ojibway princess, and straightway determined to make
her his wife ; but like many another determination in affairs of tliia nature.
while the proposition was looked upon with favor by the girl herself,
the paternal consent was lacking. When Johnston laid the matter before
White Pisher, that prudent old chief advised the ardent young lover and
wooer of his daughter to wait a while, to visit his native land and to
first seek a wife among his own people before deciding to take an
Ojibway. Undismayed, but realizing that multiplied protests would be
useless at that time, the young man reluctantly assented to this, with the
strong conviction, no doubt, tliat he would find no maiden of the
Emerald Isle the peer of the St. Mary's princess, and even if he should,
there was the likelihood of her declining to share his fortunes in the
wilds of North America.
Johnston made his trip to Ireland, visited England, and after a few
weeks sold his estate at Craig and returned to La Pointe. Whether he
made any strenuous effort to find a lass to return with him is not stated.
Perhaps the chief, White Fisher, was expecting to see a pale-face bride,
the wish being father to the thought, and it can be easily imagined that
the trepidation of the dusky maiden was duly excited by the possibility
of her place in the gallant Irishman's heart should have been usurped
by a blue-eyed Antrim county beauty. The impetuous lover lost no time
in allaying these fears by renewing his suit and his proposals. Without
further objections on the part of White Pisher, the marriage took place.
Jane was the name given to the first offspring of this marriage, a child
who developed into a woman of great beauty, of bright intellect, and
charming manner, and it was she who became the wife of Henry R.
Schoolcraft.
The Red Man's Fairies and Brownies
Jlrs. Schoolcraft was a woman of vivid fancy, who readily responded
to the influence of mental and social culture, and found in them the
means of perpetuating the legends of her people, and giving form to the
Indian Paw-puck-e-wis, or fairy, which is scarcely less interesting than
his prototype across the water. The Paw-puck-e-wis of the Indians
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28 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
"delighted to sport upon the lieadlands and cliffs in the moonlight, and
to toss balls of silver into the still waters of the lake. White men called
them meteors or shooting-stars, but the Paw-puck-e-wis knew better and
laughed at the bewildered beholders." — "In the woods" continues Mrs.
Schoolcraft, "they returned the call of the hunter, laughed when he
laughed and repeated the shouts from hill to hill until the woods seemed
alive with humans. At times they would huddle themselves together in
the hollow of some great cave in the roeks and, as a war party marched
by ia paint and feathers, loudly echoed their whispers, so that the whole
party fled in dismay and terror." One can easily recognize in this the
Echo and the Pan of the old mythologies.
Long before the appearance of the white man on this side of the water,
the forests, the lakes, and the streams were peopled with the creation
of a fancy as wild, as picturesque, and not less grotesque than that of
the elfin of the Germans, or the brownies and fairies of Scotland; but
differing from the artificialty of the fairies which must be referred to
the remnants of old Saxon traditions, household and fire-side spirits,
transformed and changed by the grotesque and wayward fancy of the
northern mind. The Puk-wud-jees of the Indians, fresh, primitive and
exulting have more analogy with Pan and frolicsome fauns and satyrs.
Superstitions op Early Settlers
There can be little doubt that the early settlers on the New England
coast, ancestors, many of them, of those sturdy pioneers of the River
Raisin valley, were inoculated with a species of half- religious, lialf-
superstitious belief which cropped out in the superstition of witchcraft,
showing its most revolting aspect, and permitting deeds from which
true, enlightened minds should have shrunk in horror. It is to he
deplored that the blind superstition of those unhappy days in the New
England colonies excited its baneful influence to the exclusion of a regard
for the faith of the Indian, not as a subject for curious and interesting
research, but as a part of a diabolical device to be rooted out and de-
stroyed. As a consequence, too few of their beautiful and poetic tradi-
tions have come down to us, though the careful observer will not fail
to detect many vestiges in the history of later times.
Worship op the Great Spirit
The full blooded Indian of the pioneer days was probably descended
from the original inhabitants of this continent, or, in other words, from
the survivors of that people, who on being driven from their fair pos-
sessions, retired to the wilderness and reared their children under the
saddening influence of their unquenchable griefs, bequeathing them
only the habits and customs of the wild, cloud-roofed homes of their
exile — a sullen silence and a rude moral code, leaving them in ignorance
of the arts and sciences which may have marked the long ago period
of their prosperity. In the contemplation of this phase of a subject
which has for most persona a fascination that cannot be easily shaken
off, is it not more agreeable and perhaps as satisfying, after all. to
allow one's fancy wide range in its pursuit through the purple haze
of mystery, — the ever delighting charms of poesy and legend — rather
than to enter upon a futile, wearying search for the far-away realities?
We have nothing in the red-man's devotion to an overruling spirit
more impressive than the sacrificial rites of the "Sacred Fire," nor
more interesting, as a suggestion of a descent from the fruitful Persian
stock. It is perhaps not surprising that the element of fire should be
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 29
selected as the object of worship by nations whose leaning towards the
semi -religious or supernatural, required something tangible and visible
for their support. To them this mysterious agent was sufficiently power-
ful in its effect and striking in its operation to appear as an emanation
from the deity.
It is not known positively, that this custom of keeping alive the
sacred fire existed among other tribes than theOj'ibways, the Ottawas,
the Shawnees and the Natchez, but it is settled as certain, that these tribes
practised and believed in the rites as iire- worshippers, and that evidences
have been discovered in the past that the region which we inhabit about
the Great Lakes was the scene of the" perpetual fire kindled upon the
rude altars of stone and, without relying too implicitly upon the tales
related of the tribes by the earliest French settlers and missionaries and
Coureur des Bois, it is not difficult to believe from current accounts that
they were firm and conscientious believers in the efficacy of an eternal
fire.
Tradition op the Sacred Fire
The tradition which has become more or less familiar is as follows:
"Many of thousands of winters ago, all the inhabitants of the earth with
the exception of a single family, were destroyed by floods, and darkness
and lack of food. This one family managed to keep up a great wood fire
for warmth and for preparing food, and so survived for a considerable
time. But in consequence of the continued cold and darkness, even this
last remnant of human existence was about to perish. In this emergency,
a young girl of the family, suddenly inspired by the idea that she might
save her race by an act of self-sacrifice, threw herself upon the fire which
served the despairing sufferers for light and heat. The body was speedily
reduced to ashes; but the next moment she arose in the eastern sky
apparently unharmed and surrounded with hales of surpassing giory.
The darkness began to disappear before this new luminary, the earth
began to assume its original aspect and the family was saved.
This wonderful girl became the chief of the tribe and it was decreed
that the nearest female relative should be her successor. The worship
of the sun which she had rivalled at her resurrection, was established
at once, and in addition to this a fire to be called the 'Living Sacrifice
of the Sacred Fire' was kept perpetually burning, and it was the
belief of the survivors that so long as this fire blazed upon their altars
they should be peaceful and happy. On the spot where the self-sacri-
ficed maiden was re-incarnated when the fire from heaven descended
and enveloped her body in glory, they built their mound to indicate
that their wanderings were at an end. It was upon this, when the
'festival of the forests' was held, that the priestess of the sun showed
herself to the people, arrayed in robes of white and girdled with a gem
sparkling belt about her waist. She assisted in the greeting of her
ancestor (the sun) and as he ascended into the eastern sky, his first
rays fell upon the figure of the sacred princess, which circumstance
was hailed by the worshippers as a recognition of sympathy and an
acknowledged relationship between the. real sun and his queenly rep-
resentative."
This astonishing legend is that which remains the m(Mt clearly, in
the superstitions, which pass for religious beliefs in the trib^ which
we have named. The Chippewa tribes inhabited the region around
Lake Superior, and here died in great poverty an object of charity,
some years ago, their last hereditary chief. Kaw-baw-gum. Offshoots
from this tribe found their way southward to the River Raisin, and
here finding the climate agreeable, game, fish and furs in abundance.
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30 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
they stayed, making friends with the Pottawataniies and Sliavvnees
and Ottawas, preserved a general attitude of amity ; and it was perhaps
these who introduced the religious rite of the Sacred Fire in these
regions. "Whether this was continued as zealously as was the case with
the parent stock, or not, does not appear, but the dis<!overy ol stone
altars and mounds in the known vicinity of their villages seem to prove
that the Sacred Fire was here an established institution, for am un-
known period, finally disappearing before the advance of white men
into their domain.
Fading of the Michigan Pottawatamies
The poorest land in southern Michigan is a strip occupied by the
remnant of the tribe of Pottawatamie Indians whose diminishing num-
bers are struggling against even this small modicum of civilization. This
tract of land is inhabited by probably two hundred and fifty persons, and
lies just beyond and contiguous to the richest farming and fruit lands
in the state, offering the most striking contrast to the lands of the red
man, where fertile fields and large and thriving orchards lie beside land
only half reclaimed from a state of nature. This pitiful remnant of a
once powerful tribe — powerful enough to drive the warlike Illinois before
them to "Starved Rock" where they camped stoically about its base and
calmly waited until the last of their enemy's warriors had perished.
These are the Pottawatamies which swarmed the southeastern portion
of Michigan and which the early French pioneers found in possession of
the valley of the Riviere aux Raisins, who were the staunch followers of
Tecumseh and who proved to be the only really friendly tribe that hov-
ered around the settlements. They were troublesome, but not terrible;
they were thieves, but not cold-blooded murderers. Now they are a poor,
miserable, shiftless and broken people. They are fairly good Indians
now, as Indians go, by force of circumstances. They till their farms just
as much as they must as an alternative from starvation ; they wear the
clothes of civilization, drink fire water as of yore, cling to their old lan-
guage and confess their sins to the good father, for the Pottawatamies
have been good Catholics since P^re Marquette established a mission
among them at Green Bay and, withal, have a sociable habit of not under-
standing English when it suits them.
Visit to Chief Chenagae.
A visitor to one of the chiefs but a few years ago gives me a descrip-
tion of this visit :
"Recently I drove out to the house of Chief Chenagar, to find no one at
home but the chief's squaw, a big, dark, full-breed Indian woman, who
smiled until her high cheek bones met her eyebrows, to the obliteration of
her little black beads of eyes.
" 'Where is the chief?' I asked.
" 'Her gone. There her tracks,' pointing to some big holes in the
ground that disappeared in a straight line across the field. But that was
all the information I got regarding his destination.
" 'When will he be back?'
" 'Her gone. There her track.'
' ' But she held the door open and smiled, and I walked in. The house
was as clean as a Yankee's, with bare floors scrubbed to a snowy white-
ness. The walls were adorned with Catholic images and pictures. The
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HISTOEY OP MONROE COUNTY 81
chief's wife squatted on the floor to fix the tire, and remained there with
her hands clasped around her knees.
" 'Where are the ehiidren!' I asked. 'Gone to school!'
' ' Something like sadness flitted across her face for an instant.
" 'No pappoose! Married seven years, no pappoose!'
" 'Why don't you steal one?'
" 'Him bad steal,' she said, quickly looking up at a picture of the
Virgin and crossing herself. ' Pottawatamies no more pappoose. Her
all die. Her no more come.'
"Then she lapsed into stolid silence, paying no attention to my
expressions of sympathy. But she smiled often, and struggled with a
little English in an effort to be friendly.
' ' At the next cabin I stopped there were three or four children of vari-
ous ages, who were all indulging in little hacking coughs that told all too
plainly the fate of the race. There were three women there also, and in
a fifteen minutes' call I got just one word out of all of them. As I drove
into the yard a young squaw snatched a little brown baby up off the
ground and disappeared into the house, while a brave sat on a sawbuck
and whittled a stick. He did not even look up as I passed him and
knocked at the door. It was opened one inch,
" 'May I eome in? I'm cold,' I said. The door was opened a few
inches wider and I squeezed in. One squaw left a sewing machine and
gazed at me, her elbows akimbo ; another was sewing. They all smiled.
''' ' Whose baby ! ' I asked, pointing to the little one on the floor.
" 'Nmph, ' in concert. Then I made a remark about the weather and
received the same answer. They all smiled. The ehiidren stood off in
the corners and grinned while I carried on an animated conversation to
myself. At' last I roused them by a bit of information, telling them that
Congress had just allowed them a long-pending claim for $190,000.
" 'Nmph!' said the three women excitedly.
" 'You're going to get that money soon. It will make you all rich.
What will you do with it?'
"They looked at each other expressively, and then the oldest uttered
the unanimous sentiment:
" 'Firewater!'
"By which I understood that it would mostly be spent for liquid re-
freshments. I g^ve the baby a penny, and he tucked the copper coin
under his copper-colored cheek. I couldn't get within three yards of the
other children and not another word could I get out of the women. The
brave slunk around behind the house as I came out of the door.
"Like the Miamis the Pottawatamies came originally from the region
of Green Bay, Wis. There Father Marquette found them in 1673 and
founded a mission among them; there Tonty, La Salle's lieutenant, took
refuge among them after the massacre of the Illinois Indians on the Great
Meadow below the rock. They were extremely friendly to Tonty and
Father Ribourde, who accompanied him, because of their love for the
French. One of their chiefs at that time was wont to say with the boast-
fulness that characterized the Algonquins :
" 'I know of but three great captains in the world — myself, Frontenac
and La Salle.' "
Drivino the Miamis
Twenty years later the Pottawatamies were found to have dispossessed
the Miamis of the St. Joseph basin, in southern Michigan, extenSing from
near Chicago to the mouth of the Grand river. This region they held in
undisputed possession for a century and a quarter, getting themselves
mixed up in all the trouble that was brewing. They were the implacable
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32 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
enemies of the Iroquois and the English, and the loyal lovers of the
French and of Pontiae, the great chief. They were never the equals of
the Iroquois, either in the council or in warfare, but were eruel, hardy,
brave and vindictive, and the most steadfast friends as they proved in
1712, when by their timely arrival they saved the French garrison at
Detroit from being massacred.
In the French and Indian war they fought bravely for the French,
and were not disposed to give the country over to English rule after the
peace of Aix-Ia-Chapelle in 1763. In excuse for the trouble which fol-
lowed Parkman says : ' ' The English were rufRans of the coarsest stamp,
who vied with each other in rapacity, violence and profligacy. They
cheated, cursed and plundered the Indians, offering, when compared
with the French traders, the most unfavorable example of the character
of their nation."
The character of these new occupants of the country was the direct
cause of the conspiracy of Pontiae, in which the Pottawatamies were con-
spicuous, and after the assassination of the great chief at Cahokia in 1779
they avenged his death in a singularly cruel manner. The assassination
was charged directly to the Illinois Indians, and all the tribes of the lakes
united to punish them. The Pottawatamies finally pursued a little band
of eighty Illinois to the Rock of St. Louis and besieged them until they
died of starvation. But the death of Pontiae broke their spirit, and they
made peace with the English^a peace that was kept for fifteen years,
until General Anthony "Wayne was called to put an end to their disturb-
ances in 1794.
Last Battle at Tippecanoe
Again they united with the tribes under Tecumseh, and were con-
quered by General Harrison at Tippecanoe in 1811. That was the last
time they did any fighting. The spirit of warfare in them was broken
forever, and they had not even the strength to resist an attempt to remove
them beyond the Mississippi in 1833. Old Chief Pokagon got a grant of
land in Cass county, Michigan. But the deeds to this land were held by
the chief, and after his death it was sold by his heirs. Since then the
tribe has bought small farms or rented them, the different members stay-
ing together, preserving the language, electing a chief and interpreter,
whose principal duties were to correspond with a elaisB agent in Wash-
ington.
This part of the tribe, while they did not go to the Western reserve,
still claimed the annuity promised them in that event. Thirty-nine
thousand dollars was allowed by the government in 1866 ; $190,000 addi-
tional has also been allowed, of which the agent got $40,000. But as
there are probably only about thirty families in all, this would make the
whole tribe comfortable for life if it were wisely spent. The money
received in 1866 was soon lost in dissipation.
This remnant of the tribe is rapidly dying out. Dissipation, civiliza-
tion, and intermarriage together are proving too much for them. The
deaths annually outnumber the births, and a Pottawatamie of more than
fifty years of age is a rarity.
Except that they live in houses and wear manufactured clothing they
follow a primitive life. The Indian tongue is used in all households, and
the wooden mortar and pestle are employed to make their hominy. The
children attend school irregularly, the constraint being distasteful to
them and'seemingly injurious to ^eir health. Father Cramer has faith-
fully worked among them, keeping them within the folds of the church.
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CHAPTER IV
"WESTERN PIONEERS OP NEW FRANCE
French Seamen— French Colonists — French Indian Fur Trade —
Fair Dealings With the Indians — -The Wood Rangers — Visitors
TO Upper Lake Region — Missions and Settlements — English In-
trude Into Northern Fue Country — Detroit, an English Check
—Land Grants — Solid French Buildings— Early French Indus-
tries—Legend of the Old Pear Trees — The French in the Pon-
TiAC War— Social Traits,
The first thing that strikes most readers of colonial history is the
marked difference between French and English colonies in their begin-
nings and in their later fortunes. This difference is not in all respects
easy to be accounted for, although some matters are quite obvious. A
brief reference to some of the colonial antecedents may not be out of
place.
The discovery of America was followed by a great revival of the
spirit of adventure, which very soon led to colonial enterprises in all parts
of the world. Spain for a long time took the lead in these adventures.
Her colonies were all dependent provinces, either governed by viceroys
or by other despotic authorities, and the colonists had little if any advan-
tage over their fellow subjects in Spain. No other power made a more
respectable showing upon the sea and none had better soldiers or mari-
ners. The glory of the newly established colonies in America fluctuated
with the fortunes of the mother country, and frightful abuses prevailed
among them. "Wlien they became independent, more than a century ago,
they were for a long time no improvement on what preceded them. They
did not pay that regard to private freedom and constitutional restraint
which is necessary to prosperity. The despotism of numbers is quite as
dangerous as that of rulers. Despotism in some shape has never dis-
appeared.
French Seamen
The French adventurers preceded the English in effective work, al-
though they were not far apart. At that time the French sailors were
admirable mariners, and it is questionable whether, in spite of the great
English captains of that day, whose deeds have become famous, they did
not, on the whole, surpass their island neighbors in the general quality of
their seamanship. The principal adventurers were Normans, of the same
stock with their English rivals and closely resembling them. While it is
not, in mixed blood, easy to determine which line predominates, we can
readily perceive in the dashing spirit of the great sea captains the same
characteristics which a few centuries ago sent the norman ships and
spread the Norman conquests over every part of the known western
world. The Normans of Prance and England kept up their intercourse
and retained similar ways long after the conquest; and even as late as
tiie earlier years of Queen Elizabeth it was not thought unlikely that
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34 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
their governments might bo made similar. The old eustoms of Normandy
were so nearly those of England that the same commentators expounded
both, and their maritime usages were practically identical.
Fkench Colonists
The French, as eoionists, in the proper sense of the term, were in
advance of the English and began with a more definite purpose to estab-
lish their eommereial supremacy. The English were very bold explorers,
but most of them had far more of the spirit of buccaneering and free-
booting, and far less humanity in dealing with the natives. Before any
permanent English colonies were well established they became involved in
domestic difficulties with their home government, it having ceased to
favor such enterprises or pay much regard to them ;■ and their neglected
infancy was one of the reasons why they at last hecame so independent
of trans-Atlantic management as to outgrow it altogether.
An Old French Homestead
Between the beginnings of French colonization and the time when
flic English colonies began to increase, French institutions had been tend-
ing more and more toward centralization. At the time when the first set-
tlements were made in Michigan the absolutely personal government of
Louis XIV had become supreme and was as active in this region — then
known as New France^as it was in France itself. The king was also
zealous in enforcing religious uniformity. While there was considerable
jealousy between the two great clerical orders of the new colony, the
Jesuits and the RecoUets, or Franciscans, they held between them sub-
stantial authority over all religious matters. For various reasons both
the religious and secular oiRcials were opposed to the settlement of remote
posts. A system of personal oversight was maintained over every man
who came into the country, and there is no instance recorded and prob-
ably none existed where anyone ever settled down in the wilderness as a
squatter or pioneer and cleared a farm for himself. There were no farm-
ing settlements except under restricted and fixed regulations and every
one who went into the woods, licensed or unlicensed, went as a roving
adventurer, and not as a settler. The number of these roving people must
at times have been'as great, or nearly as great, as that of the fixed inhabit-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 35
ants. In this — contrary to our later experience — the Canadian colonists
differed radically from the English. The latter, in the early days, seldom
became hunters or trappers in any great numbers. Even after the ces-
sion of New York by the Dutch, the English exploring expeditions con-
tained more Dutch than English rovers, and the Dutch were much more
successful in dealing with the Indians, who got along very well with
them and with the French, but not so well with the Englishmen.
Fkench-Indian Fub Trade
The French policy was chiefly directed, so far as the back country was
concerned, to managing and controlling the fur trade and its supple-
mentary branch of a return barter with the Indians. All of this trade
was a monopoly, confined to favored persons or companies and at no time
open to general competition. As a matter of universal experience, such
monopolies always raise up a formidable irregular trade, and in this
region the persons concerned in the illicit business were those of the
highest rank and importance, who generally managed to protect their
own emissaries and associates and procure for them sooner or later such
advancement as was possible in the colony.
The immigrants that came in considerable numbers from various parts
of France, but chiefly from Normandy and the northern and northwest-
ern provinces, were to an unusual extent men of intelligence and some
enterprise. Men of all ranks and conditions swarmed in — mostly those
who were anxious to better their doubtful fortunes and many who were
restless under the restraints of the intolerable burdens on French indus-
try. A great many veteran oflficers and soldiers were discharged or re-
tired and found it difficult to live in comfort upon tlieir unprofitable
estates. The policy of the country had made trade an honorable calling,
and the impoverished noblesse, who could not at,ways get a footing in the
companies or a share in the legitimate trade of the country, found them-
selves, in a measure, compelled to resort to some kind of enterprise to earn
a living. The result was that quite early in the colonial times the whole
country was visited and explored by intelligent adventurers, whose
knowledge of its condition, though for obvious reasons never officially
published, enabled the subsequent explorers to proceed more boldly and
directly in the line of their journeys.
Fair Dealings With the Indians
There was no Indian tribe to which ma:iy rovers of the lower classes
had not joined themselves as adopted members. Many of these persons
were not wanting in shrewdness, and they secured great influence. The
retired officers seldom took up any intimate relationship with single
tribes, but by their sagacity, diplomacy and force of character made them
acknowledged leaders of the white men and gave them controlling influ-
ence among the Indians. They eould at any time collect a formidable
following for any enterprise and they were welcome guests among all the
western tribes. Consequently there is hardly an instance, if indeed there
is one, of any settlement, military, civil or religious, or of any expedition
authorized by the government to explore the country, which had not been
preceded by the visits of the gentlemen adventurers, who did more to-
extend the French power and reputation and to maintain the French
ascendancy among the Indians than all those who followed. And it is
greatly to their credit that nothing can be found in history more honor-
able in the mutual confidence and esteem between Indians and white men
than the relations of these brave and spirited leaders with the tribes
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36 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
among whom they moved. In spite of the almost uncontroUahle impulse
on the part of most of them to better their fortunes as quickly as possible,
they retained the respect of the Indians by frankness, courtesy and by
generous treatment.
Men lost no favor among these people by shrewdness of trading, if
they did not forfeit their esteem in some other way. The way was opened
readily for them wherever they ehose to go, and it is very well known
that the chief expeditions for exploring purposes were suggested by the
reports of the advances of these wandering pioneers, of whom Du Luth
was an illustrious example who had neither seen nor heard of the remote
regions and waters.
It is worthy of remark that none of the great leaders of the wood
rangers was ever seduced into pursuing the fabulous and unsubstantial
glory of the Indies in preference to remaining in territory that they
knew. The fortunes of this country would have been very different if
the opposite policy had prevailed— had the substance been given up for
the shadow.
It seems incredible that for a hundred and fifty years the states-
men of both France aud England had not only refused to favor the occu-
pation of the country which now forms the strength of the United States,
but did all in their power to hinder it and to keep the wilderness un-
broken.
The "Wood Ranoees "
The condition of affairs rendered it impossible to make settlements
without government sanction. We are therefore entirely in the dark
concerning any fixed plans of rendezvous or resort of the wood rangers.
It is probable that they had sueh establishments here and there as tem-
porary trading posts, and there are reasons for supposing that they had
such resorts at a very early day on the island of Mackinac and along the
Detroit river; hut whatever these may have been, they never took any
permanent form and were possibly mere temporary encampments. The
chief significance of these earlier attempts is found in the evident fact
that the posts afterwards established were generally located, with a
knowledge of localities and surroundings that could not have been ob-
tained from any other source. The places were chosen because their
merits and advantages were already understood.
Visitors to Upper Lake Region
The first French traveler of note supposed to have visited Michigan
was Samuel de Champiain, though this cannot be absolutely determined
from translations of his journals. Like some other old writers he has
been annotated by editors who have undertaken to fix the location of
points which he mentions, according to their own geographical theories,
when a different route and conclusion would seem to be reconcilable with
the same descriptions. It is well known that the same Indian names of
tribal settlements and haunts are not infrequently found in different
places. It has been definitely stated on more than one occasion by the
French government that he passed the Detroit, and his maps show that
he knew the connection of Lake Huron with Lake Erie. One of the mis-
sions which were the results of his explorations was near the head of St.
Clair river, on the east side of Lake Huron.
Various reasons chiefly connected with the first English conquest and
the subsequent colonial troubles with the Five Nations seem to have
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 37
entirely diverted attention for many years from the lake country. Here
and there a chance reference is made, but there was no interest mani-
fested in it. Mississippians as well as traders from time to time visited
the upper country ; but after the Iroquois drove the Hurons from their
homes in Canada there was very little known intercourse with any part
of what is now Michigan until the missions were joined at Sault Ste.
Marie and Mackinac in 1668. These missions which were founded by
men of celebrity, and which were maintained with some variations of
locality longer than almost any others in the country, indicate very well
the spirit of the time in regard to ijolonizatiou.
The Mississippians, who represented the views of a powerful party
or interest, appear in the double capacity of explorers of distant regions
and of pastors of the Indians whom they desired to keep separate from
the Frenchmen who traversed the country. Their opposition to French
settlements was no doubt due to their fears that the Indians would be-
come demoralized by them ; but they became valuable pioneers in explor-
ing, and whether first in the field or not, which is open to doubt beyond
question, they furnished much of the earliest reliable geographical knowl-
edge preserved in the maps and records of the period.
JIissioNs AND Settlements
Father Marquette, who was among the most eminent of those con-
nected with our early history, took a prominent part in founding these
missions. His death at the mouth of the river named after him, and his
burial in the chapel at St. Ignace, were events which will always keep
his name in our annals prominently, as one of the few distinguished men
of those days who lived and died in our territory. His career amply
deserves the space which we allot to it elsewhere.
As these were the first, so they were the only missions ivhieh preceded
the important military and civil settlements during the French period.
There were minor stations subsequently founded at L'Anse, L'Arbre
Croche, but none that had any historical importance.
The post at ^Mackinac became almost immediately important for mili-
tary purposes ; as the villages of the principal Indian tribes of the north
were gathered about the straits, which was the high-road for canoes com-
ing and going in all quarters, no point was at first so central for the tra-
ders. Mackinac became at once, and continued until Detroit was founded
by De la Mothe Cadillac, the great center of Indian traffic. This made
it necessary to have the government represented byskilftil and brave
officers, who might prevent tribal jealousies and disturbances and culti-
vate relations with the tribes, to secure their friendship and alliance.
As early as 1671 a great mass meeting and carnival was held at Sault
Ste. Marie with the upper lake Indians by St. Lusson (he that was sent
to the northwest to hunt for the South sea at the same time that La Salic
and others were started towards the Ohio). About this time two of the
intended companions of La Salle, Dollier and Galinee, visited the neigh-
borhood of Detroit, but made no prolonged stay, returning eastward
through Canada.
The next settlement, in point of time, was made by La Salle in 1679
at the mouth of the St. Joseph river. This was during the course of the
expedition which set out from Niagara river in the Griffin, famous as
the first sailing vessel that ever eame westward. Tradition has it that
La Salle was urged by some of his companions to establish himself on
the Detroit river, but he replied that his instructions would not permit it.
As he at once thereafter set up posts at the St. Joseph and on the Illinois
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38 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
river, which were regarded as valuabie, it is probable that at the time
of his passage the Indian settlements in the vicinity of Detroit were not
as eligible for trading purposes as those near Lake Michigan and the
country was somewhat exposed to the incursions of the Iroquois. As he
had sent some of his men ahead to winter near Detroit there must have
been Indians and possibly Frenchmen in the country, but the strange
habit of the early writers who described their own voyages, of omitting
all mention of important places on their route, leaves us without knowl-
edge whether their silence in this matter has any signifieanee concerning
the occupation.
English Intrude Into Northern Pur Cottntey
The fort on the St. Joseph, afterwards moved about twenty leagues
up the river, was there in Charlevoix's time, 1721. The next Michigan
post erected by authority was a second Fort St. Joseph, established by
Du Luth near the now abandoned site of Fort Gratiot, at the foot of Lake
Huron, in 1686. The object of this fort was to intercept the emissaries
of the English, who were anxious to open traffic with the Mackinac and
Lake Superior nations. The Dutch, while in possession of New York,
had secured a considerable clandestine trade, but do not appear to have
left home to seek it. The English began to covet it as soon as they
became settled in that province.
The ravaging of the Huron country in upper Canada by the Iroquois
did not have the expected effect of giving the latter the control of the
beaver traffic, which was the chief article of trade with New York. The
northern Ottawas and Chippewas had control of the largest fur country
which was accessible in that direction and the posts near the southern
end of Lake Michigan commanded the remainder of the western business.
The French posts in Michigan and to the westward left very little to be
gathered by the New York traders, and they determined, as there was
peace between France and England, to push forward their agencies and
endeavor to deai with the western and northern Indians in their own
country.
The French government not only plainly asserted the title of France,
but as plainly threatened to use ail requisite force to expel inti-uders,
anticipating correctly that the Engiish would attempt to make Lake
Huron from the east without passing up Detroit river, Du Luth placed
his fort at the outlet of the lake into Ste. Claire river. About the same
time an expedition was planned against the Senecas, and the chivalric
Tonti, commanding the forts of La Salle on the shore of Lake Michigan,
and La Durantage, the veteran commander of Mackinac, were employed to
bring down the French and Indian auxiliaries to take part in the war.
It so happened that the important expeditions sent out by Governor
Doryan under Roseboom and Major McGregory to open trade with the
northern Indians were intercepted and captured, the first on Lake Huron
by La Durantage, and the second on Lake Erie hy the combined forces
of Tonti, DuLhut and Durantage, which had made a junction at a post
then existing for some purpose at or near the present city of Detroit,
and continued down Lake Erie in company. As France and England
were then at peace, and James II was on remarkably good terms with
the French king, the captured prisoners were after a time compelled by
the crown to be unwillingly given up by the Canadian governor ; but the
steps he had taken were such as to deter any further attempts of the
English for several years. All the subsequent efforts made by the latter
were indirect and intriguing. Various claims were set up under pretense
of cessions from the Iroquois, but they were imfounded and futile.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 39
Detkoit an Enolish Check
It was chiefly to prevent any further misehief and to secure more
eifeetually the French supremacy that De La Mothe Cadillac, who had
great influence over the savages, succeeded after various plans urged by
him had been pigeon-holed by hostile colonial intrigues in getting per-
mission from Count Pontehartrain to begin a settlement in Detroit; his
purpose was from the beginning to make not only a military post, but
also a civil establishment for trade and agriculture. In this he was more
or less thwarted and opposed by the monopolists, and by the Mackinac
missionaries, and was subjected to severe persecutions. He finally tri-
umphed, however, and obtained valuable privileges together with the
rights of a seigneury. Craftsmen of all kinds were induced to settle in
the town, and trade flourished. He succeeded in getting the Hurons and
many of the Ottawas to leave Mackinac and settle about Port Pontehar-
train. In spite of all the opposition he encountered from his greedy
enemies in the colony, as well as the dangerous intrigues of the New York
interests, his post was advancing rapidly in value and importance, when
he was selected to become governor of the new province of Louisiana,
which had been granted to Crozat and his associates under a charter
resembling that of the East India Company.
Immediately after his removal Detroit was exposed to an Indian siege
instigated by the English emissaries, and conducted by the Maacoutins
and Outagamies, the same people who made the last war on the whites in
Michigan under Black Hawk a century and a quarter later. The tribes
allied to the French came in with alacrity and defeated and almost anni-
hilated the assailants of whom over one thousand were put to death.
Unfortunately for the country the commanders who succeeded Cadillac
for many years were narrow-minded and selfish and not disposed to ad-
vance any interests beyond the lucrative traffic with the Indians for furs
and peltries.
■ Land Oraxts
It was not until 1734 tliat any new grants were made to farmers, al-
though twelve years earlier the French government had urged this policy.
The colonial magnates and their subservient and interested subordinates
had contrived to evade their duty until more liberal and wiser officers
were installed. The abuses practiced with impunity in these distant
regions were very great and never would have occurred, or been submitted
to, if the population had not been kept down to insignificant numbers.
The Norman people were very apt to make things uncomfortable when
they became numerous enough to have any power in their hands ; and the
extortions of some of the earlier officials were fully as annoying as, less
than a century before, had turned Normandy upside down under the
riots of the Nu-pieds against the hard enactments of Cardinal Richelieu ;
only the lack of local self-government had rendered this brave people
partially helpless against public abuses.
In 1734 the Governor General Beauharnais, who had sincerely desired
io build up the country, made a series of land grants upon easy condi-
tions, requiring very moderate annual dues, and reserving the usual fines
or commissions on sales. There were a few purely nominal burdens, never
insisted upon, never important, including certain reserves of mines, min-
erals and ship timber, and mill service if there should be a public mill.
These annual duos were so trifling in amount as never to have been oner-
ous, being paid mostly in grain, and the exclusively money dues being
commutable. The town lots paid larger dues ; even these were very light.
The immediate effect of this policiy which appears to have been somewhat
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40 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
auticipated by settlements before made by leave of some of the command-
ers in the faith that it would be approved and adopted by the Governor
General was to give quite an impetus to agriculture. "Within the town
of Detroit were many skilled artizans of various kinds, prominent among
whom were workers in metal, including blacksmiths, cutters, lockmakers,
coppersmiths, etc. The Indian market was good for all sorts of trinkets
and implements; there were also excellent carpenters and masons.
Solid French Buildings
It has been overlooked by most persons that the buildings of the
early period were not only strongly but often handsomely built of the
best materials. In the eastern provinces of Canada especially in Quebec
and Montreal the early houses of the better classes were solidly con-
structed of stone whose massive walls were from two to three feet in
thickness, having enormous chimneys, often built in the center of the
houses in order to utilize the heat from the huge fire places, in the rooms
on each side of the great chimneys. These fire places were sufficient in
size to take in logs of wood five or six feet long, and the fire was never
One of the Earlier French Houses of the Old Regime.
suffered to go entirely out except in summer. Stone was near at hand,
and therefore it was the cheapest and most convenient material for
building.
In and around Detroit the building stone was not so abundant, but
the forests were there, and the timber easily obtained, hence few stone
houses were built. In describing houses conveyed by deeds in Detroit
they are sometimes described as built "piece per piece" which may have
been the ordinary style of log houses, but which in the better class,
were timber or block houses of smooth tiiiish ; these were usually either
of oalc or cedar, the latter being brought from quite a distance. The
Huron church at Sandwich was constructed of veiy large timbers of
white cedar, which never decayed. The very ancient French houses
near Detroit of the better class were very generally of cedar.
Early French Industries
There was a sawmill in the pine region near the St. Clair river
and Lake Huron at a very early day ; dates are not preserved, but the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
41
pinery was weil known before 1742, and the mill and the timber are men-
tioned in a public report of the resources of the post in 1749.
Stone quarries were worked to some extent before 1749, and prob-
ably very much eariier at Monquagon and Stoney Island, In 1763 there
were several lime kilns within the present limits of Detroit, and stone
was used for the foundation walls of frame buildings. Stone buildings
were rare. During the siege of Detroit one stone building, which must
have been quite ancient, was demolished and the stone used for other
purposes.
At Detroit was the only place where there were any land grants,
(except a small settlement at the Sault Ste. Marie, in the latter days of
the French Dominion) most of our information concerning the doings of
the French aside from hunting and trading, are derived from that point.
Agriculture was carried on profitably and considerable supplies were ex-
ported quite early from that settlement, consisting chiefly of corn and
wheat, with a small amount of peas and beans. Very little meat was cured
\ Ni Fkencii Fkaj! Tbkks
Panted M o M I o- I f e earliest settlers on tlie River Raisin in IT86,
o arl r bearing fruit, annually
for sale o\ing to the ■! arcit\ and high cost of salt. Although cattle,
horses and s vine ere ra aed in considerable numbers salt springs were
known at or near Lake St Clair and on the river Rouge and some salt
was n anufactured (1 \ evaporation in a primitive fashion) at both places,
but not such as would be suitable for packing meats. Farming, such as
it was, seems to have been quite superfieial and by no means thorough,
the soil was rich and required little fertilising, from which good crops
were raised many years in succession without any special care. The fruit
orchards were the pride of the early settlers; pears and apples were
excellent and abundant. Peaches also were spoken of by some early
writers as being fine in qualify and very abundant. Cherries, currants
and grapes also were cultivated in gardens.
Legend op the Old Pear Tkee
This appears to be a good place to make a diversion from the main
narrative and speak of the famous old pear trees of new France and the
legend concerning them.
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42 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
The full and interesting story of the old French pear trees cannot be
written at this far away date, because in the beginning it was not con-
sidered important; like many historical narratives, the value of the
records became interesting only as time rolled along, and the associa-
tions of events and personal connection with them developed into history.
So, like most things old not fully understood, or little known, they have
inspired researches and the building around them of little romances of
charming piquancy.
Along these lines have occurred matters and things, which, while not
authenticated, have probably ample foundation in fact, like the legend
handed down coneeming the old pear trees, curious, interesting and
characteristic.
It runs in this-wise ; It is told that the Jesuit fathers who were the
first arrivals in this part of New France, in planting the orchards of
apples and pears, along the rich and fruitful valleys, notably alonjr the
Riviere aux Raisins planted the trees in groups of twelve — typifying
the twelve apostles of Jesus, and that in each case one tree of the dozen
was set apart from the others so that the betrayer, Judas, might be
remembered and singled out, forever, from the faithful; and as most
men stamp and seal their works with the impress of their thoughts, is it
not natural to suppose that these religious horticulturists, might have
assigned to their orchards some spiritual significance ? At all events, in
support of the story, it is asserted that rows of twelve of the old pear
trees originally existed on the old French farms, whose ranks, in time,
became thinned and broken by storm and untoward circumstances so
that the initial formations gradually became changed, and eventually
obliterated.
The row of these ancient trees shown in the illustration when first
familiar to the people of Monroe, contained at least ten where hut five
now remain; they stood upon the farm of Robert Navarre, long since
merged into the growing eity and now stand alone in their venerable
dignity upon a city lot in the third ward, between the tracks of the
Michigan Central Railway and those of Detroit and Toledo Shore Line
(Grand Trunk). For this most interesting illustration, the author is
indebted to j\Ir. George W. Bruckner, an old resident.
To contin\ie the record of early French industries: — There were
several wind mills and numerous mills operated by water power near
Detroit, most of which were grist mills. The lack of proper roads made
the streams serve as common highways and these mills were very accessi-
ble. One of the important industries was fishing, and the delicious white
fish formed an important element in the provision market. Many of
these were slightly salted and smoked for use in the season when they
were difficult to get in the fresh state, and when the weather was too
warm to handle them.
During the French and English war this country was the principal
source of supplies for the French troops west of Lake Ontario, and prob-
ably furnished a fair quota of troops, also. During this period the
upper posts were not much involved in these affairs ; it was supposed that
an attempt would be made to capture Detroit, and the commander was
instructed to defend it to the last extremity. It was confidentially be-
lieved that this could be done sueeessfuUy, so that when it was announced
that the western posts were included in the capitulation of Montreal,
Bellesfre was naturally incredulous, and could, with diflSculty be per-
suaded that such was the fact.
The French in the Pontiac "War
Some criticism has been made of the alleged disloyalty of the French
before and during the Pontiac war. As a matter of fact, very few of
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 43
them took any active part iii tliat war or encouraged its barbarities.
As soon as definite news of the treaty of peace was received they all,
with few exceptions among men of no standing, aeciuiesced in the change
of government. The French militia of Detroit, officered by Frenchmen
who had commanded them before, were sent up to Mackinac and else-
where, also doing duty at home in the English service, acting with com-
plete fidelity. It would not have been very much to their credit or in-
telligence if they had been over-zealous before it was known that France
would not be able to retain her old possessions ; but the treaty was not
officially known in Detroit until some moiillis after the siege began. It
was the recognition by the French ol' tlieir new allegiance tbat discon-
certed Pontiac and probably destroyed his plans.
Social Traits
Socially, the French inhabitants were an admirable people, tiiey were
the same in Detroit and Monroe, (then Frenchtown) where many fam-
ilies were of gentle blood, of wealth and much refinement. Ail, of both
classes seemed to have possessed a spirit of courtesy and urbanity which
greatly endeared them to the Indians, who always greatly preferred
them to any others of the white race. Their hospitality was limited only
by their means to offer it. They loved simple pleasures and social en-
joyment, kept open house to all comers and were usually frugal and
industrious enough to meet all demands upon them without any anxiety
to pursue gain for its own sake. They were not, however, lacking in
spirit or enterprise and the whole country was traversed by their agents
.and dotted with their trading houses. Their business ventures, even
today, with our modern facilities and advantages, would be respectable,
and were in some instances bold and extensive — and their earnestness
in business and enthusiasm in pushing it was equal to twentieth century
methods.
There was no Protestant element before the British conquest of Can-
ada, and the people were strongly attached to their churches; the clergy
were accomplished and influential. Several of the early missionaries and
pastors were men of great learning and scholarly ambition. "We of today,
are indebted to them for much of our knowledge of the Indians and
their languages, and for a large share of tlie historical records which
have been preserved.
There is always a strong temptation to dwell upon the domestic ways
of our forebears, and to enjoy the pleasant memories of charming
households and hospitable homes, of delightful summer and winter holi-
days and festivals, of bounteous gardens and orchards, of gay, shouting
throngs upon the waters of river and bay, of wedding trains in pony
carts or caleches, of cariole vans and ox carts; the pony races on the
river, when the stream was held in the fetters of winter.
Brief reference has been made to the Coureur de Bois, the most
sturdy type of French pioneer, and around his personality gathers so
much of interest and historic import that the following chapter is de-
voted to him.
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CoiiiErii l)K Jkfis
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CHAPTER V
RANGERS BY LAND AND WATER
La Hontan's "Coukei7r de Bois". — Described by the Missionary
— The Vendor of Strong Drink — Regulation of the Coureur
^He Speaks por Himself — Did Nature Call Him? — Sieuk Dd
Lhut — The French Voyageur— The Unique Batteau — The
Birch Canoe — The "Dug Out" and Pirogue — The Hudson Bay
Company — Monroe County as a Game Region — Charlevoix's
Desceiption— Hennepin 's Record
The most picturesque figure in the history of the settlement of
the great northwest, and of which, perhaps the least is known and
understood to-day, is the coureur de hois ("rover of the wood") he,
who, at first glance has the appearance of a rollicking, dare-devil crea-
ture, whose character conceals no psychological enigmas whatever. It
was simply the free life of the woods proving too much for the young
men, who frequently deserted civilization for the savage delights of
the wilderness ; if they had the stamina to hold to the pursuit of trapper
and hunter, to preserve some of the semblances of " civiliKation treading
on the heels of nature," the character is not an ignoble one, but the
usual picture delineates a "vagabond of the wilderness" and nothing
more.
There is much documentary evidence in support of this view.
La Huntan's "Coureuk de Bois"
La Hontan was no friend of the Jesuits, but both had the same story
to tell about the Coureur de Bois. The Baron (Hontan) says he was
once in Montreal when fifty or seventy-five rovers returned from the
northern wilderness to civilization, and describes their conduct after
they had sold their furs. It is a picture which might have been painted
of the wild proceedings in the "forty-nine" days of the gold diggings in
California, or of the less remote scenes in the northwoods of Michigan
and Wisconsin, when after weeks and months spent in the depths of the
wilderness enduring hardship and privation, at the hardest toil, the
"lumber-jacks" would rush with headlong impetuosity to the nearest
village, or hamlet, or city — which ever offered the best facilities for con-
verting their hard-earned dollara into headaches and physical miseries
of all their infinite variety, where their four months' wages would
promptly dissolve into nothingness — and the wretched men prepare again
for another confiiet with the woods, to he followed by the same falling
into the depths of incredible folly. La Hontan 's discription sets before
us the ancestors of those who rushed from the gold diggings or the chop-
per's camp, to the places where they could play ten pins with bottles
of champagne.
The Baron Hontan does not write of these people for the pur-
45
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46 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
pose of sweeping {'ond em nation. He has (at timos) praise for the valor
of the coureur, and accepts as truthful, his tales of life in the forest.
Described by the jUissionary
It is otherwise when the Jesuit essays to describe the acts of this
reprobate, which he does in the severest terms of censure. ' ' What hope
can we have," exclaim these good men, "of bringing the Indians to
Christ, when all the sinners of the colony are permitted to come here
and give Christianity the lie by their open exhibition of bad morals!"
Particularly at the time of Frontenac does the vehement protest of the
Fathers become charged with grief and upbraiding. From the mission-
ary's standpoint the coureur was bad enough, even when the govern-
ment opposed him; but, whether rightly or wrongly, it was said that
Frontenac and these vagabonds "understood each other" very well, if
indeed there was not a definite alliance between them, for Frontenac
was a man who preferred himself before "priests, potentates and
powers." Hence the Jesuits in the far west felt their position threatened
by a compact between two forces, both inimical to them, either of which
might well have caused them serious concern. They realized that no
sooner had the missionary begun to lead the savage into the right path,
than an unscrupulous French trader appears on the scene with his
brandy battle and his demoralizing example. There is little difference
in the character of the charges brought against the coureur de bois by
his enemies. When the advanced races first come into contact with their
retarded brethren, the "white man's burden" is usually a bag of bul-
lion, or a pack of beaver skins.
The Vendor of Strong Drink
Theft, falsehood and cruelty are the stepping stones over which, too
often, the adventurous European has advanced to the control of distant
continents, liut in the case of the coureur de bois there is no proof that
the worst sins were perpetrated. He was not absolutely vicious, Carheil,
the Jesuit missionary at Mackinac, sent in to the governor who succeeded
Frontenac a long indictment, which contains a lengthy list of damaging
details, principal among them being the license to use and sell the soul
destroying brandy and rum.
"If that license be not revoked," he writes, "by positive orders, we
need no longer remain in any of our missions in this country, to waste
the remainder of our lives and all our elforts in useless labor, under the
dominion of continual drunkenness and of universal immorality." It
is a safe conclusion to draw, therefore, from the statements of La Hon-
tan, Carheil and others, that the coureur de bois stood not only "on the
fringe" of respectable society in New Prance, but qiiite outside the line
of demarkation. When one reflects upon the austere piety of the first
settlers, it does not appear in the least strange that these wild tales from
the forest should have at first astonished and shocked their moral sensi-
bilities. But unfortunately, there seems to be a spice of permeating
evil that causes it to linger in the memory of even the most "proper."
Hence there was in the courieur an element of fascination, which caused
a glamour to overspread the profane and disreputable, and to add a
savory odor to his misdeeds.
"As if h'all de (levil ivay down below, was
tak' heem some fancy ridCj "
as Drummond has it. His recklessness kindles a spark of admir-
ation, and the turmoil of his adventures contrasted sharply with the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 47
tameness of the life beneath the shadow of the church, and the monotony
of the simple habito'nt's occupation. We hear something about the eour-
eur de bois from the early pioneers of Monroe county, for in the Riviere
aux Raisins country, the attractions that drew the hunter and trapper
were most alluring, game was abundant, the animals which were clothed
in the furs that found ready market at the best prices, from the aristo-
cratic beaver to the humble musquash, were here in their natural habi-
tat, and it is easily imagined that the eoureur de bois found here and in
the great forests his element. The good Fathers who exercised the influ-
ence which kept all lawlessness in cheek, were sometimes sorely perplexed
and at their wits end to keep them under restraint, though we do not at
this time, hear of any serious infractions of discipline or troubles due
to their presence in the territory hereabouts.
Eegui.ation of the Coukeur
But in considering the eoureur de bois as a factor and a social type
we are perforce, brought face to face with the fur trade. As we have
noticed, in viewing the characteristics of the early French settlers, who,
in their savage environments of the rugged wildernes.s, they did not
at first feel the impulse to laborious efforts in clearing the land any fur-
ther than to enable them to grow on the small clearings which they made
sufficient for their subsistence through each year, but relied more upon
the rifle, musket or trap, a much more congenial and profitable occupa-
tion, for in the days of the eoureur de bois, profits ruled high. Through-
out the territory the beaver skin was the unit of value, heii]g freely
exchangeable for the "coins of the realm." When two beaA'cr skins,
bought at Frenehtown or Detroit for a comb or a looking glass, or a
. string of beads or a pint of red rum could be sold in Jlontreal or Three
Rivers for a guinea (or twenty shillings sterling) sometimes more, it is
no wonder that the trade in furs flourished at the expense of agriculture.
(In 1690 the Hudson Bay Company paid a dividend of seventy-five per
cent.) The fur trade, it is true had its vicissitudes, for the hiograpliy of
La Halie shows what disappointments it could bring to the adventurer
who fraflicked with the Indians of the paf/s d'cii haut. Nevertheless, it
was not, we may surmise, that the eourenr de bois would entei' tiie wilder-
ness solely in the expectation of great gains ; but in reality the excitement
of the game counted for soTuething — perhaps for as much as the money
consideration. He bore the reputation of being neither virtuous nor
poetical nor practical and it is (juite believable that the best piiy he
j-eceived was the opportunity to test his powers in wrestling with the
obstacles he encountered. Had there been restraint, the attraction, the
fascination would have disappeared; but to escape from the stifling
restrictions of government control to indulge in the liberty and license
of the forest— was not that temptation enough? WJiere else was there
held out such promise of exciting and congenial pleasures? The eoureur
de hois was a product of Canada, and of the times in which he flourished
—and the first risk which he ran was that of being punished by the
government. In a community where wealth could he gained in no otlier
way than through the fur trade, every one wished to traffic with the
Indians. A large part of the trade thus carried on was an infringement
of the monopoly, and therefore a breach of law.
He Spk^ks for Himself
A wise or consistent policy was not always followed in dealing with
offenders, but it always placed restrictions of some kind on bartering for
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48 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
peltries, ranging from a complete prohibition of private trading, to the
granting of a license at the Governor's discretion. As the King had
a long arm, defiance of his authority and commands necessarily involved
grave danger. Still, the coureur de hois had something to say in justifi-
cation of his side of the argument, when told that he must not hunt in
the forests at a distance of more than two or three miles from his hut,
he reasonably asked how the King expected to extend his authority over
the continent if no one explored it, and obviously exploration could not
proceed without the help of trade. Whoever entered the lands of the
Indian must carry presents, and unless the permission were given to
trade, how could the costs of the expedition be met ? Likewise, when the
Church hurled anathemas at him for selling fire water, lie replied: "If
you prevent me from taking good brandy to the Indians is it that, you
want them to buy bad rum from the English and the Dutch ? ' '
One of the most ingenious arguments related to the question of faith.
Addressing the missionaries he would say: "By making the Indians go
south for rum, by cutting off the brandy you will throw them into the
arms of the Calvinists. Therefore it is your fault if they become
heretics. ' '
Did Nature Call Him
What ever the threats of the Governor and the Intendant, the official
who stood next to the imperial ruler, they could never prevent a con-
siderable part of the population from "taking to the woods." Duches-
neau (Intendant in 1680), who disliked the coureur de bois with an
intensity amounting to hatred, stated tliat they numbered nearly eight
hundred, which was one third the total number of adult males in the
Province, which is thought to be an error or an exaggeration. Still, it
must he remembered that the demand for stalwart men among the popu- .
lation made it seem an unmitigated wrong that a man should desert
civilization for the hardships of life in the wilderness. If he remained
at home, he would found a family and raise up valiant sons to resist the
Iroqffl^is and English. Both church and state were very much more
concerned that there should be a progeny of valiant habitants at home
than that Wisconsin and Michigan and the country around the great
lakes should be peopled with a "mongrel" race.
Just how far the glories of nature appealed to the coureur in reality,
is a matter dilRcult to determine. When these swearing, hard drinking
Frenchmen of the seventeenth century careered over the grand waters of
Huron and Superior and plowed their way in batteaux through the mani-
fest streams and bays that abound in the west and entered the vast nat-
ural temples and archways of the primeval forests, they probably were
not moved by emotions aroused by the grandeur of the setnes through
which they passed. But they loved the wilderness, and paid it the com-
pliment of living there until their health failed or di^ath ended it.
Parkman, who gave to the woods the intense affection of an enthusi-
astic lover of nature, and wrote some of his most admirable lyrics upon
the theme, concluded, after a study in his most earnest manner, that
"the coureur de bois loved the woods because there he was emancipated
from restraint." Probably he was right.
SiEUR DuLhut
One naturally seeks for a representative of any type which may
interest him, and in the type of the coureur de bois, there suggests very
forcibly a man who stands for the best characteristic, and almost alone,
but who is the preeminent choice of those who wish to believe in the best'
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 49
of this unique personality. This is Daniel Gresolon, Sieur DuLhut,
(known to the reader of today, as Dulutli, the founder of that thriving
city at the head of the "unsalted seas.") In the city of Montreal, in one
of the best quarters of the city, on the Placed'Armes, upon a prominent
building near Notre Dame ehureh, there is to be seen a bronze tablet
bearing this inscription: "In 1675, here lived Daniel de Gresolon, Sieur
DuLhut, one of the explorei-s of the Upper Mississippi ; after whom the
city of Duluth is named."
Here DuLhut settled after his arrival from his birthplace, St. Ger-
main-en-Laye, France, where he was enrolled in the Royal Guard, a regi-
ment whose privates even, were required to show quarterings on their
crests. At the noted battle of Senef, he won honors for gallantry, beside
his compatriot, Louis Hennepin, another of the adventurous Frenchmen
who were attracted to New France and who was the first white man to
gaze upon the wonders of Niagara, and who, also, wrote his impression
of the varied attractions of Riviere aux Raisins, if, indeed it was not
him who bestowed that poetic name upon the Frenchmen's well loved
stream,
DuLhut, continuing to hold his military rank, and to draw half pay,
settled in Montreal and lived like a well-to-do citizen who had abandoned
the career of a soldier, for business. Suddenly he sold his house and dis-
appeared into the wilderness. His record is a good one and though he
was a coureur de hois in the truer sense of the word than the young men
who were given that name, he was evidently not in the forests solely
for his health ; he was a trader and an honorable one ; he would neither
cheat on his own part nor permit cheating by others, when he could pre-
vent it ; and so he won the confidence of the red men with whom he was
constantly thrown, LaSalle, for some reason did not like DuLhut, and
though they were in the same expedition, LaSalle was always inclined to
belittle the efforts and achievements of DuLhut and magnify the im-
portance and brilliancy of his own, manifesting a spirit of jealousy and
injustice that seems foreign to the character of that great explorer.
After all, the coureur de hois seems to belong in a special sense to
the young man who has about reached his majority, his impetuous haste
to plunge into the unknown forest, and deal with the elements of nature
at firat hands, to indulge in the adventures and meet the perils of the
grim woods, and to meet face to face with the mysteries which inhabited
them — all these symptoms point to the fact that it was the young men
who were found among the adventurous, lawless and dissolute of the
eoureurs de bois. If we follow the subject to investigate further, we shall
discover other examples, besides DuLhut, who may come nearer the
model which our minds or imaginations have set up, like Radisson, Gros-
seltius or Nicholas Perrot, Pere and LeSueur and even some of the later
days, who flourished along the Riviere aux Raisins, like young Daveneau,
Pierre Nadeau and Papreau Duvall.
The French Voyageub
Of a type different from the courieur de bois, though resembling him
in some of his characteristics, is the Voyageur, who, instead of being a
"rover of the woods," pursued his vocation of roaming over the waters
of the northwest, the great lakes, and the streams which attended the
adventurous explorers in search of advantageous sites for the fur trade,
for the establishment of missions by the Jesuit missionaries, or for settle-
ment by permanente Juihitants. The thoroughfares of these lakes and
streams were constantly peopled by this moving throng of explorers, who,
as Stevenson says, seemed to have a taste for "high, and what we call,
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Pierre Jean Baptiste Cadotte de la Repentigny
A eourcur ile liois of the oUl regime.
Jean Boucher
A mail carrier between Sault Ste. Marie and Detroit in the primitive days—
An early day voyageur and guide. A half breed Chippewa born at Sault Ste. Marie.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 51
heroic forms of excitement. ' ' That certainly was what the early explor-
ers got when they came to America. High and heroic forms of excite-
ment abounded on every hand. For men like Champlain and LaSalle the
wilderness of woods and waters was full of mystery and charm. America,
for its first explorers, was seen through a golden haze of romauce and
adventure. Those who lost health or fortune in striving to unlock the
secrets of the New World were many. Failure or misfortune however
on the part of some, did not seem to dampen the ardor of successors, who
pushed on and on, to some goal, they knew not where. They courted
the friendship of the Indian as the means most likely to promote their
success iu their undertaking. It was not an alliance that was pleasur-
able to their sense of rational enjoyment of social intercourse — it was
simply— business, and a means to an end ; for when one has prepared
the best possible brief in behalf of the North American Indian, he must
admit that only by a suppression of the most common facts can the red
man be fumed into material for romance, or even into an idealized
people for amalgamation with tlie Anglo-Saxon, or the less particular,
perhaps, Canadienne Frangaise. That is what excites our admiration for
the intrepidity of the early missionaries; not alone that they braved the
dangers and privations and perils which they encountered day and night
in the forests in their efforts to save the souls of these savages, but that
they were compelled to eat their meals ! Indian cookery ! unspeakably
gross and disgusting; abide in their wigwams'with their vile smoke and
filth, their hideous customs and unthinkable practices— they were, m
deed, a heroic and devoted band of Christian Fathers!
The Unique Batteau
The voyageur is never spoken of as simply a traveler — nor his eraff
which he used, as a boat; it is always the voyageur and his batteau.
These are the distinctive names given and are his by right of possession.
The batteaux were unlike any other craft in existence ; they had to be ;
they were to traverse turbulent waters, rocky rapids ; they were to shoot
unexpected and foaming cataracts, plow their way through streams hlled
with fallen trees and rotting logs ; carry cargoes of provisions, of f ure
and of humans, weighing sometimes tons. They must be light enough
to be carried over portages, and strong enough to endure the most ex-
acting strain of usage. They were usually, or preferably of cedar, with
flaring sides and with bow and stern elevated and projecting far over the
water— pointed both fore and aft, ranging in size from eighteen to thirty
five feet in length, or larger, with a breadth of beam of four to six feet,
the bow sometimes rudely decked over with bark for the protection of
its often perishable cargo. This craft was propelled by the practiced
boatmen, the voyageurs, with a paddle, light, strong and rigid; the num-
ber employed depending of course, upon the size of boat and weight ot
its burden. But whatever its size or burden these skilful ' knights ot the
paddle" propelled the batteaux with incredible swiftness and perfect
safety. Not the " Sho-wae-eae-mettes, " in their four-oared shells, in their
palmiest clays would be considered any more than an even match for
these boatmen of the great waters.
The Bikch Canoe
Another of the products of the wilderness and the tool of the voyageur
was the birch canoe, a very wonder of construction, of beauty of outline
and exquisite in form, of feathery lightness. The Indians were very
expert in building these bark canoes, and in the selection of material for
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52 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
the purpose. The white birch or canoe birch was taken by preference, and
cut into proper lengths for the various sized canoes. The bark was formed
up over a sort of frame and the margins of bark sewed together with black
spruce roots, which is obtained on high lands — but never near swamps.
These fine, fhread-like roots are tough and flexible and grow deep in
the ground. The Indians say that bark for boat purposes is taken off
the tree before the sap flows in the spring when it is tougher than if
taken off in the summer ; it is also much easier to remove from the tree
trunk. The Indians and voyageurs have a very ingenious method of
carrying the bark canoe, in this way : they take a cedar shingle or splint
of the proper size, rounded at one end, that the corners may not be
in the way, and tie it with strips of cedar bark, laced through holes made
midway, near the edge of the boat on each side, to the middle crossbar,
or thwart of the canoe. When the canoe is lifted upon his head bottom
up, this shingle or splint, with its rounded end uppermost distributes
the weight' over his shoulders and head, while a band of cedar bark tied
to the crossbar on each side of the shingle, passes around his breast, and
another longer one, outside the last goes round his forehead ; a hand on
each side rail serves to steer the canoe and keep it' from rocking. He thus
carries his load distributed over his shoulders, head, breast, forehead and
both hands, as if the upper part of his body were all one hand to grasp
it. One of the paddles rests on the body thwart. One cannot possibly
conceive of the convenience of this gear unless they have tried to carry
a canoe on their head without it.
The "Dufi Out" axd Pikogue
The old "dug out" which used to be a familiar object on the River
Raisin, to many now living, was simply a log of poplar, or white wood or
sycamore of the required length, hewed flat on one side, then burned to
a coal along the middle its entire length until the charred portion cov-
ered the space designed for the hollowed-out cavity, this was finished
with an axe or adz. This work took up considerable time in its execution,
but when complete, and the exterior of the boat fashioned into shape it
was a most conyenienf and useful craft, much heavier, of course than the
batteaux or the birch eanoe, yet, nevertheless a very good substitute for
either, and much better for the young voyageur in his fishing days, it
being staunch and steady. It was modeled after the lines of the birch
canoe.
The voyageur was a vastly more common personage along the streams
of our country than the coureur de bois.
Another sort of boat was called a pirogue. This word is defined by
'Webster as of American Indian origin, meaning a small boat, and is
found to be commonly used by the earlier writers in their accounts of
life in the wilderness. It was some time alluded to by the Indians and
half-breeds along the River Raisin, but has been obsolete for many years
in this neighborhood. The term evidently was applied to any sort of
boat propelled by oars or paddled, but one local authority speaks of it
as a sort of flat bottomed scow, used in moving produce on the river or
troops in crossing streams and lakes. These were plentiful and popular
because they were easily built, couid be conveniently used on shallow
water, and were safe for any purpose except where speed was required.
They were usually propelled by a long oar or paddle at the stern, in the
manner that yawls are operated by "sculling."
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 53
The Hudson Bay Company
The coimeetion of Monroe county with the Hudson Bay Company
was never so close, nor its relations with it of sufficient importance to
warrant any extended account in these pages, except as ita methods and
operations offer some information in regard to the disposal of the im-
mense stocks of furs and peltries taken hy the pioneers, the hunters and
trappers, both of the Indian tribes and the white men. The marketing
of these furs was principally through the intermediary of the independ-
ent far traders, either those located permanently or the roving coureurs
de hois, who were either representatives of the Hudson Bay Company
and the Northwestern Company or individually operating for smaller
concerns ; hut, having neither the capital nor the organization for eon-
ducting a business on the scale of their great competitors, who practically
dominated every part of the new and rich territory of the northwest.
The Hudson Bay Company enjoys the distinction of being the oldest
organization, the largest united company doing business under the same
system, and unchanged in any particular, that exists in the world to-day.
It was incorporated in 1670, and received its charter from Charles II.
Prince Rupert, of England, was associated with the first body of "mer-
chant adventurers trading into Hudson Bay," as the first nucleus of the
company was designated in the charter, which gave them the right to
trade upon all rivers and their tributaries flowing into Hudson's Bay.
They established their first posts at the mouths of the principal rivers
that fall into the bay on the east, south and west shores, such as Bast
Main, Ruperts, !;\Ioose, Churchill, and a few smaller ones. The men
selected for the positions of managers or superintendents of these posts
were called "factors," and the posts themselves, "factories." They en-
deavored to draw the interior Indians down to the coast and those from
every part of the territory to their principal posts, but after a few
years they found that the long journey to the "factories" took up so
much of the Indians' time, and left them after their return to their
hunting grounds, so exhausted from their strenuous exertions in nego-
tiating the turbulent and swift flowing waters that the company 's man-
agement decided to stretch out and establish trading places in different
parts of the north, — so the company pushed ahead to the south and west
and ran up their flag, a blood red ground with H. B. C. in white block
letters in the center. In the early days, of course, the fur trade had
always been the principal commerce of the country, and after the French
regime several Scotch merchants of Montreal continued this profitable
business with greater vigor than ever. This they did under the name
of the "Northwest Company," Their agents and the eourieur de hois
were ever pushing out in every direction and a considerable trade was
carried on with them by the trappers and hunters in this section. Some
idea may be gained, of the fur trade done by the Hudson Bay Company
from the statement made in 1829, by McKenzie, which jrave the peltries
purchased in that year, as follows :
106,000 beaver skins 6,000 lynx skins
2,100 bear skins 600 wolverine skins
1,500 fox skins 1,650 fisher skins
4,000 kitt fox skins 100 racoon skins
4,000 otter skins 3,800 wolf skins
16,000 musquash skins 700 elk skins
32,000 martin skins 1,750 deer skins
1,800 mink 1,200 deer skins (dressed)
500 buffalo skins
This list, no doubt, would vary from year to year.
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54 HISTOEY OP MONROE COUNTY
UroNKOE County as a Game Region
Monroe county was a famous game region from time immemorial
and It IS due, perhaps, partially to this fact that the Indians were ex-
tremely fond of making long visits within its borders, and as nearly
permanent homes as these nomadic peoples were ever known to make
As far back m the dim past as the dat« of Charlevoix's journal of his
brief visit to the River Raisin country, it was the hunter's paradise—
and his observations at the time (1721) are well worth recording and
reading. This old explorer, adventurer and traveller, from whose intelli-
gent and sagacious observations and forceful descriptions of the country
through which he passed on his expeditions from Montreal to the north-
west, are to-day respected and admired for their accuracy and interest.
ClIAKLEVOrx 'S UESCBIPTiON
The following extract is from "Charlevoix's Travels" contained in
two large volumes written, of course, in French, and translated by a
careful scholar.- "The first of June, being the day of Pentecost, after
having sailed up a beautiful river (the River Raisin) for the space of
an hour, and runs between two fine stretches of meadow land, we passed
over a carrying place of about sixty paces in width, in order to avoid
turning round a point of land. This river is said to have its rise, at
a great distance to the northwest. It is a somewhat sandy spot of
ground on one of its banks, and naturally bears a great abundance of
grape and other vines. The following day I saw nothing striking, but
coasted along a charming country, hid at times by less attractive pros-
pects, but which were so seldom seen as to be unimportant. Whenever
I went ashore I was enchanted by the beauty and variety of the scene,
which was terminated by the noblest forests in the world. Add to this,
that the waterways and the wide marais swarm with waterfowl of every
kind. It is to be supposed, that the woods afford game in equal profu-
sion, for nothing could be of easier fancy than to believe that here was
the home of all the animals and birds, that make life pleasant in these
silent abodes." (No wonder that the name of La Plaisance was given
to a part of this charming landscape.)
"Were we to sail," continues Charlevoix, ".-is we here did, with a
serene sky, in a delightful climate, and in waters as clear as those of the
purest fountain, were we sure of finding as secure and agreeable places
to pitch our tent to spend the night, where we might enjoy the pleasures
of hunting, breathe the purest of air and enjoy the sensation of being
in the finest of countries, we might wish to travel to the end of our
days. How the giant oaks and elms reminded me of Mamre!" In those
days, and even at a later time, buffalo, bear, deer and indeed all the ani-
mals common to this latitude were found here. A "hunter's paradise,"
indeed.
Hennepin's Record
The explorer and missionary, Father Hennepin, was here in 1701,
and was as enthusiastic in his admiration of the beauties of the River
Raisin Valley as was his brother Jesuit, Charlevoix. Fortunately these
early day visitors to our shores were careful to record their discoveries
and impressions, for whenever we make research into the far past for
information, we invariably find it in the written words of these Jesuits,
or the black robed priests, who appeared to be inspired to give to the
succeeding generations the result of their journeyings through the unex-
plored wildernesses of the northwest. Father Hennepin's account of the
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 55
country about here runs as follows: "The borders are so many vast
prairies and grand forests and charming streams, the fr^hness of whose
waters keeps the banks always green. Long and broad rows of fruit
trees are seen, which have never felt the careful hand of the vigilaat
gardener. Everywhere along these broad natural avenues under the
trees are seen assembled by hundreds the timid deer and fawn ; also the
squirrel bounding in eagerness to gather the plums and nuts with which
the ground is almost literally covered. Here the cautious turkey calls
and collects her numerous brood and conducts them to gather the grapes
and berries which abound most luxuriantly — and here, too, come the
mates to gorge themselves on the abundance of good things. Pheasants,
quail, partridge, woodcock and multitudes of pigeons beyond the power
to count them, swarm in clouds in the woods and cover the country
which is dotted with thickets and forests of majestic trees of very great
height and size, forming a charming perspective, which sweetens the
sad loneliness of the solitude. The tish are here nourished and bathed
by living waters of crystal clearness and delicious purity, and this great
abundance renders them none the less appetizing. Swans are so numer-
ous, that at times, one would take them for lilies among the reeds in
which thev are crowded together. The gabbling geese, the duck, the
widgeon are so abundant that to give an idea of their numbers I must
use the expression of a savage, whom I asked, before arriving, if there
IS much game tlieie "So much," he replied, "that they draw up in
lines to let the boats pass through," They are not not now so formal
oi so hsposed to exercise plein de grace.
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Beitish Plan or BiTTLE op Biveb Haisin, January 22, 1813
T,* p„,t.g,.ph« ™py.i- •«''"t^M;: i'"fLr4."'4'?roiwt Set;
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CHAPTER VI
THE BATTLE OF FRBNCHTOWN
Bkitish Forces Leave Amhkrstburc — Rout of the Americans — Ai'-
PBARANCB OF PRISONERS — JUjOR RicHARDSOn's NARRATIVE — COLONED
Proctor's Rei'ort — Facts About the Battle — General "Win-
chester's Report-— Account op Hon. Laurent Durocher — Harri-
son TO Shelby — Harrison Takes the Field — Tecumseh, the Great
Shawnee.
"Towards the dose of the autumn of 1812," says Major Richardson, t
"General Winchester, having established himself at that point of the
Miami, whither General Tupper had, on the occasion of Major Muir's
retreat from Fort W^ayne, been ordered to dislodge us, (British), and
thrown up on the right bank of the river a strong fortification, to
which, in compliment to the governor of the state of Ohio, the name of
Fort Meigs had been given, a detachment consisting of about 50 men
under the command of Major Reynolds of the Essex militia, with a
three pounder and 200 Indians, were sent to Frenehtown* on the river
Raisin, distant eighteen miles from Amherstburg, to watch his move-
ments. Here this little party continued unmolested until the afternoon
of the 18th of January, 1813. When Colonel Lewis, who had been
detached from General Winchester's division, with an advance guard
of nearly 800 men suddenly fell upon them, and notwithstanding a
very gallant resistance, in the course of which efficient service was
rendered by the three pounder under Bombardier Kitson of the Royal
Artillery, aided simply by a few militia acting as gunners, compelled
them to retire across some intermediate open ground to a wood, distant
nearly a mile from their original position. Here the enemy were kept
in check, not only by the fire from the three pounder, but by a running
fusilade from the militia and Indians, chiefly of the Pottawattami tribe.
After the conflict had continued at the point upwards of half an hour.
Major Reynolds finding himself closely pressed by superior numbers
gave up the contest, the Americans suffering him to effect his retreat,
without further interruption. In this little al?air the British loss was
one militiaman and three Indians killed. That of the enemy was much
more severe, they themselves admitting twelve killed and flfty-five
wounded. Colonel Lewis having established himself in the position sent
immediate notices of his success to General Winchester, who, quitting
t Major in the British army, in command of a regiment at the Battle of Freneh-
town, a historian and autlior of "History of the War of 1813," copied from his
reports and letters m the Archives at Uttawa, Canada.
* Frenehtown, now the city of Monroe, was so called because of tbe number
of French families settled upon the banks of the river, who built their bouses near
together, as was usual with French settlers, for mutual protection. The stream was
called Sturgeon River by tbe Indians, because that fish i — ' — " *"• — — '
numbers; but Siviere aax Rais\ns, by the French, on aceo
grapes which grew upon its banks,
57
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58 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Fort Meigs with the main body of his army, pushed forward with all
expedition and effected a juncture with Colonel Lewis on the 20th.
"The account of the repulse of Major Reynolds having reached Am-
herstburg in the course of the night of the 18th, Colonel Proctor, with
a promptness and decision which it is to be regretted had not marked his
subsequent operations, resolved on an instant to advance upon the cap-
tured position before the enemy could have time to fortify it. Accord-
ingly the whole disposable force of the garrison was ordered upon this
service, and early on the 19th, leaving a handful of men to occupy the
fort, he crossed the Detroit river opposite Amherstburg with a body
of 500 troops and militia, 800 Indians under Chief Roundhead (Tecum-
seh being absent collecting reinforcements) with three three-pounders.
The different vessels being laid up for the season, parts of their crews
were ordered to serve with the artillery, and the two companies of New-
foundland Feneibles, attached to the brigade.
British Forces Leave Amherstburg
"No sight could be more beautiful," writes Richardson, "than the
departure of this little army from Amherstburg. It was the depth of
winter, and the river at the point where we crossed being four miles
in breadth, the deep rumbling noise of the guns prolonging their
reverberations like the roar of distant thunder, as they moved along
over the ice, mingled with the wild cries of the Indians, seemed to
threaten some convulsion of nature ; while the appearance of the troops,
winding along the road, now lost behind some cliff of rugged ice, now
emerging into view, their polished arms glittering in the sunbeams,
gave an air of romantic grandeur to the scene.
"On the night of the 21st, we halted and bivouacked in the open
air, about five miles from the enemy's position, with no other protection
from the cold than our great coats and the fires which were kindled at
our feet. Two hours before dawn we were again upon the advance to
the River Raisin, and on the 22d, before daybreak, came within sight of
the enemy, occupying the position lately held by Major Reynolds. Such
was apparently their feeling of security and consequent negligence, that
they had not thrown out a single picket, and our line was actually half
formed within musket shot of their defenses.*
"The conduct of Colonel Proctor on this occasion has ever been a
matter of astonishment to me, and on no one principle that I am aware
of can it be satisfactorily accounted for. The Americans were lying
in their beds, undressed and unarmed; a prompt and forward movement
of the line, either would have enabled us to have taken them with the
bayonet at advantage, or to have seized the intermediate close fence
forming a parapet from which they shortly afterwards so severely
annoyed us. Instead of this he commenced firing his three-pounders in
answer to the alarms of the sentinels, who. at length perceiving us, had
rapidly discharged their muskets — thus affording them time and facility
for arming and occupying the only position from which they could
seriously check our advance. Resting their rifles on the breastwork by
which they were covered, the Americans fought under every advantage,
the dark line of troops before them serving as a point of direction which
could not fail to be perceived along the field of snow by which they
were surrounded. Much execution was done among the artillery and sea-
men. Singled out by the marksmen, the officers and men of these de-
*Thi3, was the fatal blunder, or worse, of General Winchester, mliich eoat so dear
in human life and bo much in treasure, and misery to the French inhabitants.
[Tliere appears to liave been two delinquent generals in thia affair] Kd,
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 59
partments, placed in front of the line were particularly exposed, and
some of the guns were abandoned from want of men to work them. The
fire of the enemy was not less galling to the troops, who, falling at every
step, continued to advance with the utmost resolution and gallantry.
Rout of the Americans
"The action had continued about an hour, when the American
right being entirely broken by the militia and Indians, a movement was
made to occupy the ground they had abandoned and to take them in
flank. This mauKuvre succeeded ; a corps of Americans to the nuTuber
of four hundred threw themselves into the strong block houses they
had already constructed since their arrival, where they continued to
make an obstinate defence. Meanwhile their right and part of their
center closely followed across the ice by the Indians fell almost unresist-
ing victims to the ferocity of their pursuers, and for nearly two miles
along the road by which they passed the snow was covered by the bodies
and blood of the slain. Among the fugitives was General Winchester
himself, who, falling into the hands of the Wyandotte chief, Roundhead,
was conducted, together with his son, a handsome youth of sixteen, to
our rear. There, being informed of the state of the action, lie imme-
diately wrote an order in pencil to the officer commanding the block
houses, desiring him to surrender what troops were nnder him as pris-
oners of war.
"This being conveyed to Colonel Proctor, Hho was then in advance
with the left wing, which was fast establishing itself on the flank of lb'-
enemy's position, the fire from our line was discontinued, and an oi^eer
dispatched with a flag and the document in question. The result of this
was the surrender of a considerable body of men, who. dreading to fall
into the bands of the Indians, had resolved to sell their lives as dearly
as possible, and who could not, without great diflSculty have been ex-
pelled from their formidable position. In this manner was the whole
of the American fort annihilated — 150 men only — of those who had been
routed early in the day contriving to effect their escape into Fort Meigs,
the post so recently established on the banks of the Miami. So com-
plete was the surprise of the enemy that General Winchester, when
brought in, had no other covering than the dress in which he slept.
"In this affair which, if properly conducted, would have been at-
tended by little loss to the assailants, we had twenty-four rank and file
killed, eleven officers, and one hundred and fifty-eight rank and file
wounded, exclusive of sergeants whose number is not recorded. In a
forward movement made upon the enemy in the heat of the action, but
in which we had been checked by the desperate and deadly fire of their
riflemen, one of the three-pounders had been abandoned not twenty
j'ards from the fence. The Americans eagerly sought to obtain posses-
sion of this piece, and leaped the breastworks for the purpose of dragging
it in, under cover of their own fire. Their object, however, was seen and
frustrated by the British line, which had not retired uiany yards before
it again halted and renewed the contest, compelling the Americans
to retire behind their breastworks.
Appeakance of Prisoners
"The appearance of the prisoners captured at Frenchtown" con-
tinues Major Richardson, "was miserable to the last degree ; their squalid
bodies were covered by clothing wJiich had evidently undergone every
change of season and were arrived at the last stage of repair. It was
the depth of winter, but scarcely an individual was in possession of a
great coat or cloak, and few of them wore any garments of wool of
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l5 *
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OF Captuee
ondon, England,
River Raisin by
Hon. C. M. Bur
Monroe County.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 61
any description. Tliey still retained their summer dress, consisting
of cotton or linen stuff of various colors shaped into frocks and descend-
ing to the knee ; their trousers were of the same material. The only dis-
tinction between the garb of the officer and that of the soldier, was
that the one in addition to his sword, carried a short rifle instead of a
long one, while a dagger often curiously worked and of some value sup-
plied the place of the knife. This description may be considered as
applicable to the various bodies of irregular troops sent out by the
states of Ohio and Kentucky throughout the war."
Colonel Proctor's Report
The following is the British official report of the battle of the River
Raisin :
"From Colonel Proctor to Major General SheafBe. Sandwich, Jan. 25,
1813.
"My Dear General: In my last despatch I acquainted you that the
enemy was in the Michigan territory marching upon Detroit. I there-
fore deemed it requisite that he should be attacked without delay, and
with all and every description of force within my reach. Early in the
morning of the 19th, I was informed of his being in possession of French-
town, on the River Raisin, thirty-six miles from Detroit, after experienc-
ing every resistance that Major Reynolds of the Essex Militia had it
in their power to make with a three pounder, well served and directed by
Bombardier Kitson of the Royal Artillery and the militiamen whom he
had trained to the use of it. . The retreat of the gun was covered by a
brave band of Indians, who made the enemy pay dearly for what he
obtained. The Indians fell back eighteen miles to Brownstown, the set-
tlement of the brave Wyandottes, where I directed my force to assemble.
On the 21st instant I advanced twelve miles to Swan Creek, whence we
marched to the enemy, and attacked him at break of day, on the 22d in-
stant, and after experiencing for our numbers a considerable loss, about
half of the enemy's force, posted in houses and enclosures, and which
in dread of falling into the hands of the Indians, they most obstinately
defended, at last surrendered at discretion; the other part of their
force, in attempting to return whence they came, were, I believe, all, or
perhaps excepting a very few, killed by the Indians.
"Brigadier General Winchester was taken in the pursuit by the
Wyandotte chief, Roundhead. He was cut off from those who were
posted, and whom he afterwards surrendered. I had much difficulty in
bringing the Indians to consent to the sparing of their lives. You will
perceive that I have lost no time, indeed, there was none to spare, as
they would have been joined by Mr. Harrison in a few days, and the
people from Detroit had already begun to show themselves. The troops,
the marine and the militia, displayed great bravery; ail behaved well;
where so much zeal and spirit were displayed by all, it would be unjust
to attempt to particularize. I shall only venture to mention some of
the wounded. Lieutenant Colonel St George, who received four
wounds in a gallant attempt to occupy a building favorably situated for
the enemy's annoyance; Ensign Kerr, of the Royal Newfoundland
Regiment, who I fear is very dangerously wounded. The zeal and cour-
age of the Indian department were never more conspicuous than
on this occasion. The Indian warriors displayed their usual courage. I
am much indebted to the different departments, the troops having been
well and timely supplied with every requisite the district can afford.
We feel the insufficiency of medical attendance. If the Indians had not
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62 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
appeared quite so soon in the enemy's rear, which deterred thorn from
quitting their fastnesses, scarcely a man could have escaped death. I
send my A. D. C, Lieutenant McLean, with this dispatch; he will be
able to answer any question respecting the affair at Frenehtown that
you may be desirous of asking, our situation here generally. I have
decided to the best of my judgment respecting the prisoners, which is
to send them by the River Thames, to be passed over on your frontier.
The reasons for not sending them back by the route by which they
came are so obvious that I shall not, except required, obtrude them on
you ; indeed I see no option or arrangement that could be made but the
one directed.
"I fortunately have not been deprived of the services of Lieutenant
Houghton of the Royal Artillery, and acting in the quartermaster
general's department, although he was wounded. I enclose a list of the
• killed and wounded. I lament there having been so many of both, but
of the latter a large proportion will return to duty, and most of them
before long. Before this reduction of my force, I had too few for the
defence of this frontier. May I not hope that you will send me a com-
pany of the Forty-first Regiment! You are aware of the insufficiency
of my means. I also send a return of the arms, ammunition, etc., taken
on the twenty-second inst., likewise of the prisoners, who you will per-
ceive to be equal to my utmost force, exclusive of the Indians, who
though a powerful aid are an uncertain one being dependent on suc-
cess, and which would have strongly appeared had I failed on the
twenty-second instant, nor could I have been sure of the militia in the
event of any disaster. I have not heard it officially, but I believe that a
party of the enemy, one hundred, bringing 500 hogs for General Win-
chester's force, has been completely cut off. I shall defer until my
next opportunity, which shall be in a few days, saying more, having
already detained Lieutenant McLean too long, of whose courage and
exertion displayed on the twenty -second, I would speak, did I think it
just to attempt to particularize any one especially when I may be sup-
posed to be partial.
"I remain, my dear General, faithfully yours,
■ "Henby Pkoctor, Colonel Commanding.
"To Major General Sheaffle,
"Fort George,"
"To Major Genera! Sheaffle, Fort George: Return of prisoners taken
after the action at Riviere aux Raisins, on the 22d January, 1813: One
brigadier general, one colonel, one major, nine captains, six lieutenants,
ten ensigns, one brigade major, one adjutant, one quartermaster, two
surgeons, twenty-seven sergeants, four hundred thirty-five rank and file,
total 495.
"N. B. The Indians have brought in and delivered up several pris-
oners since the above return was taken; they continue to do so this
morning, so that this return is not perfectly correct, nor can a correct
one be procured until they arrive at Sandwich.
"Fei.ix Trouohton R. A., Acting Department Assistant Quarter
Master General:
"Return of the kilted and wounded of the Riviere aux Raisins, 22d
January, 1813: Royal Artillery, one sergeant, one gunner killed; one
lieutenant, one corporal, one bombardier, five gunners wounded.
"Tenth Royal Veteran Battalion: Two privates killed.
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HISTORY OP MONEOE COUNTY 63
"Forty-first Foot: Fifteen privates Ifilled; one captain, one lieu-
tenant, three sergeants, one corporal, ninety-one privates wounded.
"Newfoundland Regiment: One private killed; one ensign, one ser-
geant, three corporals, thirteen privates wounded.
"Marine Department: One seaman killed; two lieutenants, one mid-
shipman, one gunner, twelve seamen wounded.
"First Essex Militia: Two privates killed; one captain, two iieuten-
ants, two sergeants, seven privates wounded.
"Second Essex Militia: Three privates killed; one ensign, three pri-
vates wounded.
"Staff: One lieutenant colonel wonnded.
"Total: Twenty -four killed; one hundred and fifty-eight wounded.
"Felix Tkoughton, Lt. R. A,, Acting Department Assistant Quar-
ter Master General."
General Winchester's Report
For the purpose of comparison with the British returns on some
points where the foregoing appear to be either gross misrepresentation
or errors, I am favored with a copy of Brigadier General "Winchester's
report of the battle made the following day to the secretary of war of
the United States which for.i,ws:
"M-iLDEN, January 23d, 1813.
"Sir: A detachment from the left wing of the Northwestern Army
under my command at Frenchtown, on the River Raisin, was attacked
on the 22d instant, by a force greatly superior in nnmbers, aided hy
several pieces of artillery. The action commenced at the dawn of day ;
the picket guards were driven in and a heavy fire opened on the whole
line, by which a part thereof was thrown into disorder ; and being ordered
to retire a small distance in order to form on more advantageous ground
I found the enemy doubling our flank with force and rapidity. A
destructive fire was sustained for some time; at length, borne down by
numbers, the few of us that remained with the party that retired from the
lines submitted. The remainder of the force, in number about four hun-
dred continued to defend themselves with great gallantry in an uneffec-
tual contest against small arms and artillery, until I was brought in as a
prisoner to that part of the field occupied by the enemy. At this latter
place I understood that our troops were defending themselves in a
state of desperation, and was informed by the commanding officer of tlie
enemy, that he would afford them an opportunity of surrendering them-
selves as prisoners of war, to which I acceded. I was the more ready to
make surrender from being assured that unless done cjuiekly the build-
ings ad.iacent would be immediately set on fire, and that no responsibility
would be undertaken for the conduct of the savages who were then
assembled in great numbers. In this critical situation, being desirous
to preserve the lives of our brave fellows who still held out, I sent a flag
to them and agreed with the commanding officer of the enemy that
they would be surrendered prisoners of war, on condition of being pro-
tected from the savages, allowed to retain their private property, and
having their side arms returned to them. It is impossible for me to
ascertain with certainty the loss we have sustained in this action from
the impracticability of knowing the number who have made their escape.
"Thirty-five oificers and about four hundred and eighty -seven non-
commissioned officers and privates are prisoners of war. A list of the
names of the officers is herewith enclosed to you. Our loss in killed is
considerable. However unfortunate may seem the affair of yesterday.
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6i HISTORY OF MONROE COTJNTY
I am flattered by a belief that uo material error is chargeable to my-
self, and that stiil less censure, if any, is deserved by the troops I had
the honor of commanding, "With the exception of that portion of our
force which was thrown into disorder, no troops ever behaved with
more determined intrepidity.
"I have the honor to be, with high respect,
"Your obedient servant,
"James Winchester, Brigadier General, United States Army.
"To the Honorable Secretary of War, Washington, District of
Columbia."
"N. B. The Indians have still a number of prisonei^ in their
possession, which I have reason to hope will be given up to Colonel
Proctor at Sandwich.
"James Winchester, Brigadier General."
Account oe Honorable Laurent Durocheb
The narrative of Honorable Laurent Duroeher which follows, gives
some of the horrible details of the massacre which accompanied this
affair, whiJe the simple story told by one of the Kentucldans, who, to
the number of more than six hundred formed a part of the army who
fought valiantly in the vain effort to save the settlement from destruc-
tion, is certainly most convincing in its truthfulness and candor, com-
ing from such authority. Laurent Duroeher was afterwards a prominent
and trusted official of the county, state and city. Judge Duroeher 's
narrative :
"I came to the Territory of Michigan in the year 1803 and fixed my
residence at the River Raisin in 1805, near the spot where I now reside,
in the City of Monroe, and near the place where the army of General
Winchester was defeated hy the British in the spring of 1813. Before
war was declared, I, with many of the young men of the River Raisin
county, most of them French descendants, volunteered our services
in the American army under General Hull.
"One company of cavalry, another of infantry. I belonged to the
cavalry. We preferred to volunteer our services to being drafted. The
term of service was one year.
"We did service until the surrender of Detroit by General Hull on
the 16th of August, 1812. We, at the River Raisin, held out and did
not surrender the fort until two days after the surrender of Detroit.
Under the capitulation the fort at the River Raisin and the men belong-
ing to the army here were included.
"We surrendered to Captain Elliott, a British officer, who came
from Detroit for that purpose, with a copy of the articles of capitu-
lation. Our horses and arms were delivered up, but we were left on
parole, &e. Soon after the Indians came, plundered and pillaged all
the property within their reach through the whole settlement, tearing
and breaking whatever articles of household furniture they could not
conveniently carry away, with insults, threats and menaces to men and
women that were indescribable ; but murder at that time was prevented
by the interference of some British officers.
"The inhabitants of the settlement remained in a dangerous situa-
tion, being daily exposed to the insults, pillage, &c., of the Indiana,
bands of whom, one after another, taking and carrying away what
little property had been secreted from the first Indians.
"The settlements remained in this precarious situation until in
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 65
the fail, when two companies of British militia and Indians and several
British officers were stationed here (then called Frenchtown) on the
River Raisin, and it made a rendezvous for their seouts to start from to
make discoveries on the frontier American army. They remained
until the 18th of January, 1813, when Col. Lewis, with part of the
troops under command of Oen. Winchester, then at Maumee, with some
of the French inhahitants of this place, came, fought and drove away
the British and Indians, took possession and occupied the same build-
ings before occupied by the British troops, and made their encampment
near the same buildings, in orchards and gardens. During the night
of this day (18th of January) the Indians gathered their dead and
wounded, killed some of the inhabitants and pillaged on their retreat
to Maiden. On the morning of the 19th Col. Lewis ordered the inhabit-
ants of the settlement at Sandy Creek, which lies about three miles
north of the River Raisin, towards Detroit, to come in on the River
Raisin on account of the Indians, they having committed several mur-
ders there on the night of the 18th of January.
"On the 19th and 20th of January other detachments of troops,
under the command of Col. Allen of the army of Gen. Winchester,
arrived and encamped in the open fields to the east of Col. Lewis'
troops. On the 20th Gen. Winchester came to the River Raisin with
some oiHcers. They took up their lodgings at the house of Col. Francis
Navarre, on the south side of the river, about a half mile above, or west
of the encampment of the army.
"On the 21st of January, in the aftemoou. certain news reached us
through some of the inhabitants, who had gone on business to Maiden,
that the British were gathering their forces, militia and Indians, with
their regular troops at that place (Maiden), preparatory to crossing
at the mouth of the Detroit river on the iee, with a view of coming
to the River Raisin to attack the Araericau army. On the nest morning,
I, together with other persoii-s, went to the house of Col. Navarre to
see Gen. Winchester,
*'We told him the news as we had heard it and that it might be
relied on as true. On the 22d of January (Friday), early in the morn-
ing, between four and five o'clock, the attack was made by the British
and Indians on the American army. The attack was very sharp at
the beginning, especially on that part of the army lying encamped
below and easterly of Col. Lewis and caused their retreat or flight
across the south side of the river"to the road leading to JIaumee, until
they reached Pluuib or Mill Creek, which is about a mile in a southern
direction from the River Raisin. Near that, most of those who had
fled were killed by the Indians who had surrounded them. It was
there and near that point where Gen. Winchester was taken prisoner
in his attempt to rally those of the army who had fled. Then followed
the surrender of Gen. Winchester's army. Soon after the whole of
the men were taken to Maiden as prisoners, except the wounded, who
were left in the houses and guarded by a few men ; also excepting some
prisoners who were captured and kept by the Indians, of whom Capt.
Hart was one. He was killed, hut not by the Indians who had him as
prisoner.
"On the 23d of January, 1813, a party of Indians returned to
the River Raisin and went to the houses occupied by the wounded
Americans and murdered them. Some were killed in the houses whilst
others were dragged out, shot and tomahawked. The Indians fired
the houses with the dead in them, as well as some of the wounded who
were still alive.
"On the 22d of January, and after the defeat of Gen. Winchester's
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66 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
anny, many of the inhabitants .fled to the Ohio frontier, others went
to the settlements near Detroit and soon the entire settlement of the
River Raisin was nearly abandoned and deserted.
"I remark here that after the surrender of Detroit and the defeat
of Gen. Winchester, the British made several attempts to persuade
the Indians to destroy the settlements on the River Raisin, for it was
alleged that it afforded or would afford assistance to the Americans.
"It was even proposed to the Indians in council, but the Pottawa-
tamies protested against it and declared that in such an event tiiey
would take part in favor of the inhabitants, for it was they, the Potta-
watamies, who had given the lands to the first settlers, and had been
recompensed therefor, and had built on each piece so given a fire there-
on, and would not suffer the inhabitants to be destroyed. And I further
remark, to refute false statements heretofore made against the French
population, that no people could have been more loyal or more attached
to the government of ,the United States than were the inhabitants of
the River Raisin at that time under such distressing cireumstanees —
their sufferings even to starvation, murdered friends, abandonment
of their habitations, their willingness to defend their country, and that
the flower of the young men volunteered their services and were at all
times willing to take up arms against the British and Indians and did
so when they were prisoners of war on parole."
Hareisox to Shelby
Report and comment by (ieneral Harrison to Governor Shelby, of
Kentucky, two days after the tragedy at the River Raisin ; —
"From Major General Harrison to Governor Isaac Shelby — Camp
OP Carkying Rock, fifteen miles from the Rapids, January 24, 1813.
"My dear Sir: I send Colonel "Weils to you to communicate the par-
ticulars (as far as we are acquainted with them), of an event that Will
overwhelm your mind with grief, and fill your whole state with mourn-
ing
"The greater part of General Winchester's regiment, United States
Infantry, and the First and Fifth Regiments of Kentucky Infantry,
and Allen's rifle regiments under the immediate orders of General
Winchester, have been cut to pieces by the enemy or been taken pris-
oners. Great as the calamity is, I hope that as far as it relates to the
objects of the campaign, it is not irreparable. As soon as I was informed
of the attack upon General Winchester, about 12 o'clock on the 22d
instant, I set out to overtake the detachment of Kentucky troops that
I had sent that morning to reinforce him, and I directed the only regi-
ment that I had with me to follow. I overtook Major Robb's detachment
at a distance of six miles ; but before the troops in the rear could get up,
certain information was received of General Winchester's total defeat. A
council of war was called, and it was the unanimous opinion of the
Generals Payne and Perkins, and ail the field officers, that there was
no motive that could authorize an advance, but that of attacking the
enemy, and that success could not be expected, after a forced march of
forty miles against an enemy superior in number, and well provided
with artillery. Strong detachments of the most active men were, how-
ever, sent forward on all the roads to assist and bring in such of our
men as had escaped. The whole number that has reached our camp
does not exceed thirty, among whom were Major McClanahan and Cap-
tain Claves.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 67
"Having a large train of lieavy artillery and stores coming on this
road from West Sandusky, under an escort of four companies, it was
thought advisable to fall back to this place for the purpose of securing
them. A part of it arrived last evening, and the rest, is within thirty
miles. As soon as it arrives, with a reinforcement of three regiments
from the Virginia and Pennsylvania brigades I shall again advance
and give the enemy an opportunity of measuring their strength H-ith
ours once more.
"Colonel "Wells will communicate some circumstances, which while
they afflict and surprise, will convince you that Kentucky has lost none
of her reputation for valor for which she ia famed. The detachment to
the River Raisin was made without my consent or knowledge, and in
direct opposition to my plans. Having been made, however, I did
everything in my power to reinforce them, and a force exceeding by
three hundred men that which General Winchester deemed necessary
was on its way to join him, and a fine battalion within fourteen miles
of its destination. After the success of Colonel Lewis I was in great
hopes that the post could be maintained. Colonel Wells will communi-
cate my future views to you, much better than I can do in writing at
this time.
"I am, dear sir, with esteem your obedient servant,
"W. H. Harrison."
"His Excellency, Governor Shelby."
Harrison Takes the J^'ield
Far from being discouraged by the discomfiture of their armies under
Generals Hull and Winchester, a third and more formidable force under
General Harrison was despatched, which reached Fort Meigs shortly
after the Frenchtown battle. Determined if possible to thwart the opera-
tions of this new government, Proctor, who had meanwhile been promoted
from colonel to brigadier-general, ordered an expedition to be in readi-
ness to move for the Miami. Accordingly, toward the close of April a
detachment of the Forty-first Regular Foot, a body of militia and one
thousand four hundred Indians, accompanied by a train of artillery and
attended by two gunboats, proceeded up that river (Miami) and estab-
lished themselves on the left bank at the distance of a mile from the
eite selected for their batteries.
The season was very wet, but the work went on rapidly. The enemy
were well equipped with artillery, among which were two splendid
twenty-four pounders which they had captured at Detroit, the trans-
portation of which the horrible condition of the roads made necessary
the combined efforts of two hundred men, several horses aBd oxen.
The siege and battle of the Miami continued for several days and was
one of the most severe engagements of the war. The following copy of
a dispatch from General Harrison and other documents following are
of historical interest and value in this connection :
Gexbbal H.\rrison to the Secretary op War
"Headquarters, Camp Meicjs, 9th May, 1813.
"Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the enemy having been
several days making preparations for raising the siege of this post,
accomplished this day, the removal of their artillery from the opposite
bank, and about 12 o'clock left their encampment below, were soon em-
barked and out of sight. I have the honor to enclose to you an agree-
ment entered into between General Proctor and myself for the dis-
charge of prisoners of the Kentucky militia in his possession and for the
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HISTORY OF MONKOB COUNTY
Tbcumseh
This portrait of the Great Shawnee Chief was painted by oii(
the 4l3t Reeiment, British troops, after the death of Teeumseh, ai
—and is said to be vorv life-like. It is the only one in existence.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 69
exchange of the officers and men of the regular troops, which were re-
spectively possessed by us. My anxiety to get the Kentucky troops
released as early as possible induced me to agree to the dismission of all
the prisoners 1 had, although there were not as many of ours in General
Proctor's iiands; the surplusage is to he accounted for, and an equal
number of ours released from their parole, whenever the government
may think proper to direct it. The two actions on this side of the river
on the 5th were infinitely more important and more honorable to our
arms than I had at first conceived. In the sortie made ujKin the left
flank. Captain Waring's company of the Tenth Regiment, a detach-
ment of twelve months volunteers, under Major Alexander, and three
companies of Kentucky militia under Colonel Boswell, defeated at least
double the number of Indians and British.
"The sortie on the right was still more glorious. The British bat-
teries in that direction were defended by the grenadier and light infan-
try companies of the Porty-first Regiment, amounting to two hundred
effectives and two companies of militia flanked by a great host of In-
dians. The detachment sent to attack these consisted of all the men off
duty, belonging to the companies of Croghan and Bradford of the
Seventeenth Regiment — Langbam's, Elliot's (late Graham's) and War-
ing's of the Nineteenth, about eighty of Major Alexander's volunteers
and a single company of Kentucky militia under Captain Sebree, amount-
ing in the whole to not more than three hundred and forty. Yet the
event of the action was not a moment doubtful, and had not the British
troops been covered in their retreat by their allies (Indians) the whole
of them would have been taken.
"It is not possible for troops to behave better than ours did through-
out; all the officers exerted themselves to execute my orders, and the
enemy, who had a full view of our operations from tlio opposite shore,
declared that they had never seen so much work performed in so short
a time."
Tkcumseh, the Great Sii.vwnee
"Like monumental bronze, unchanged bis look,
A soul which pity touch 'd but never shook ;
Train 'd fromliis tree-rock 'd cradle to his bier.
The fierce extremes of good and ill to brook;
Unchanging, fearing but the shame of fear,
A stoic of the woods, a man without a tear."
Tecumseh the Shawnee and Pontiac the Ottawa stand forth preemi-
nently, as the two greatest Indian chiefs of their time. Differing widely
in their personalities as they did in their dispositions and natures, they
were much the same in their craftiness, intellectual strength, and mag-
netic qualities to influence and command large bodies of men, whose
nature rebelled against authority of any kind except that exercised by
their own chosen leaders — and these two eminent savages were, indeed,
born leaders and generals, accustomed to be listened to with respect in
the councils of their tribes, and to obedience when they chose to exercise
the arbitrary right of rulers. Tecumseh 's character was perhaps as
plainly shown at the battle of the Thames, or Moravian towns, as Pon-
tiac's was at the siege of Detroit, and in his conspiracy to destroy that
fort, along with all the frontier forts west of the Alleghany, The British
valued the cooperation of Tecumseh most highly for his sagacity, good
judgment, friendly disposition towards them, as well as for his widely
extended influence with other tribes besides his own. He was not at the
battle of the River Raisin or Prenchtown, being absent on a mission to
neighboring tribes in securing the confederation, nor was his brother
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70 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
"the prophet;" had he been there, it is the general belief of those who
knew the nature of the great chief, that the massacre of the Kentucky
troops and of the French settlers would not have taken place. But the
Chief Roundhead who had command of the Indians, was an entirely dif-
ferent sort of man ; brutal, bloodthirsty, inhuman, of the lowest and
most detestable instincts; he it was who took Winchester prisoner, and
led the intoxicated and infuriated Indians in the horrible scenes of
massacre which followed the surrender of the American forces at French-
town. We have a circumstantial account of Tecumseh's behavior at the
Jloravian towns and of his death at that time, in a paper written by
Major John Richardson, who was in command of a division of the Forty-
first Regiment, British army in Canada. It is as follows: "The most
serious loss we sustained on this occasion was that of the noble and un-
fortunate Tecumseh. Only a few minutes before the clang of the Ameri-
can bugles was heard ringing through the forest, and inspiring to
action, the haughty chieftain had passed along our line, evidently pleased
with the manner in which his left was supported, and seemingly san-
guine of success. He was attired very becomingly in his usual deer-
skin dress, finely ornamented, which admirably displayed his sinewy,
athletic figure from which was thrown back a fur mantle which he wore
in camp. In his handkerchief, rolled up as a turban over his brow, was
placed a handsome white ostrich feather, which had been given him by
a near relative of the writer of this narrative and with which he was
very fond of decorating himself, either for the council hall or the battle-
field. He pressed the hand of each officer as he passed, made some remark
in Shawnee, which was sufficiently understood accompanied as it was
by the expressive signs of his mobile features, and then passed away
forever from view, except as we saw him during the engagement, fight-
ing gallantly, or as he afterwards lay stretched a corpse upon the field.
Towards the close of the engagement, he had been personally opposed to
Ceneral Johnson who was commanding the American mounted riflemen,
and having severely wounded that officer with a ball from his rifle, was
in the act of springing upon him with his tomahawk, when his adversary
drew a pistol from his belt and shot him dead upon the spot. It has been
denied by some that the chief met his death from the hand of Johnson ;
but such was the statement on the day of the battle, nor was it ever con-
tradicted at that period. There is every reason to state then, authori-
tatively, that the merit (if any merit could attach to the destruction of
all that was noble and generous in savage life) of having killed Tecumseh
rests with Colonel Johnson of the Kentucky Mounted Riflemen.
It was also repeated many times that the body of the fallen brave
was flayed and razor strops made of his skin; if there was any truth in
these (of which there are grave doubts) the outrages were committed by
his own immediate followers. On the night of the engagement, when
seated around a fire kindled in the forest, partaking on the very battle
ground of the meat which General Harrison's aide de camp were con-
siderately and hospitably toasting for us on long, pointed sticks, or
skewers, and which, half famished as we were, we greedily ate without
bread or salt, the painful subject was discussed and it is not less a
eulogy to the memory of the high minded Tecumseh, than a justice to
General Harrison to add that that officer was the first to deplore his
death ; while the sentiments he expressed, when the circumstances and
manner of his death became known, were such as to reflect credit on
himself both as a man, a Christian and a soldier.
Doubts as to the fact of Tecumseh having fallen at all at Moravian
Town have been expressed by parties who were unwilling to accord to
Colonel Johnson the act of having shot him, and it has been asserted
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 71
that the remains supposed to have been his, were, in fact, those of another
chief. But the truth was fully established at the time. Several of the
officers of the Forty-first Regiment in being apprised of his fall, went,
aecorapaaied by some officers of Gen. Harrison's staff, to visit the spot
where Teeumseh lay, and there they identified (for they knew him well
in life) the mangled corpse before them, all that remained of the late
powerful and intelligent chieftain.
Teeumseh was not impressed with the generalship of Proctor, who
manifested emphatic indignation and disgust at the celebrated council
held before the engagement at the Thames, Richardson evidently speaks
authoritatively in his narrative when he reviews Proctor's attempted
defense of his own conduct when under trial by court martial. His
words are as follows :
"General Proctor furthermore asserts in his defence that the original
instruction was to fortify a position on the Thames, for the two-fold
purpose of protecting the center division and conciliating the Indians."
Probably no white man was better qualified to speak of Teeumseh, or
who had had a better opportunity to become acquainted with the char-
acter of this great chief, than James Knaggs of Monroe county who
had known him from boyhood and who had been for years an interpreter,
who was at the battle of the Moravian town where Teeumseh was killed,
and helped in carrying Col, Johnson off the field, being severely wounded
by Teeumseh. He and his old neighbor Labadie, assisted by two Ken-
tucky soldiers, placed Col. Johnson in a blanket and carried him to the
American headquarters, where he was cared for by the surgeon, "When
his wound was properly dressed he resumed his position with his com-
mand. Mr. Knaggs always lamented the absence of Teeumseh from the
River Raisin at the time of the massacre, feeling positive that his influ-
ence with the savages would have been used to prevent the bloody scenes
which occurred. Such, also, was the opinion of many others who were
familiar with Teeumseh 's character and general line of conduct.
It is true that in warfare he fought along the lines of the Indians'
conception of the methods of warfare, but he did not, like Pontiae and the
bloodthirsty Iroquois delight in bloodshed and the atrocities which char-
acterized the warlike tribes. There was a strain of noble blood in his
veins, which was not apparent, even, in his brother the prophet and which
lifted him above the common level of the red man.
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CHAPTER VU
KENTUCKIANS DESCRIBE BATTLE
D.irnell's "Journal" Commences — Maech to Join Hull — IIai
Enthusl^stically Received — Serious Shortage op Provisions —
Fort Winchester Completed — American Soldiers on the March
— News op British and Indians— Kentuckians Scare Big Injun —
After the First Battle op Frenchtown— Cause op Latee De-
pe.\t — Attacked by the Enemy— Kentuckians Chagrined at
Surrender — The Surrender — Indian Outrages — ^British Prom-
ises Violated— Narrative op Timothy Mallary — A Poem op the
Battle.
General Hull having been appointed by the general government to
take possession of a part of Upper Canada, bis forces amounting to about
three thousand men not being considered sufficient to execute that design,
three regiments of volunteer infantry and one regiment of United States
infantry were ealled out.
Tiioops Rendezvous
Agreeably to a general order the following regiments rendezvoused
at Georgetown, Kentucky, August 15, 1812, to wit: The First Regiment
was commanded by Colonel John M. Scott, the Fifteenth was commanded
by Colonel William Lewis, the First Rifle Regiment by Colonel John
Allen, the Seventeenth United States Infantry by Colonel Samuel Wells,
the whole under the command of Brigadier-General Payne.
Darneli/s "Journal" Commences
The "Journal" commences on August 16, 1812: The troops paraded
in the morning and were received by Governor Seott. We paraded again
at 10 o'clock, and marched to a convenient place in close order, where
the Rev. Mr. Blythe preached a short sermon and the Honorable Henry
Clay delivered an appropriate discourse.
August 17 ; Troops inspected by Major Garrard.
August 18: We drew two months' pay in advance. There being a
general complaint amongst the volunteers respecting sixteen dollars,
which were expected to be drawn in lieu of clothing. Major Graves pa-
raded his battalion and gave them their choice to go on without the six-
teen dollars or return home. Six chose to return; these were afterwards
drummed out of camp through the town,
March to Join Hull
August 19: We commenced our march in high spirits to join Gen-
eral Hull at Detroit or in Canada. Each regiment for convenience and
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 73
speed marched separately to Newport (Kentucky), arriving there on
August 24th.
The distance is eighty miles to Georgetown. It rained most of the
time, which made it very disagreeable traveling and camping. These
hardships tended a little to quench the excessive patriotic flame that
had blazed so conspicuously at the different musters and barbecues that
had attended the enlistments. Here we received information of General
Hull having surrendered Detroit and Michigan territory to General
Brock on the 15th inst., while in possession of the necessary means to
have held that post against the forces of Upper Canada. This we could
not believe until contirmed by hand bills and good authority. When
thus confirmed it appeared to make serious impressions on the minds of
officers and privates. Those high expectations of participating with
General Hull in the laurels to be acquired by the conquest of Maiden and
Upper Canada were entirely abandoned. We drew our arms and accou-
trements and crossed the Ohio on August 27th. Our destination was
thought to be Fort "Wavne. The following general order was issued on
the 23d for the guidance ot the comnand on its maich lorthwaid
H adquirtera nn ti O \ gust ISl The tronp"! ^ H eomn ence
the r nareh lu the 1 re t oa of Dayton hy Lehanon at an early ho r ton orrow
norn ng The ff >ie Je w II be beat nateal of the eiHe the tents w U then be
struck the baggage )oa le 1 an 1 the 1 ne of n arc] taken up as soon as posB ble
The c n nan Is of tl several corps II ed atelv con nenee Inll ng the r
n en (o the perfor a e of the e olut ons o ten j late I by the ' ommander n
Chief for the orler of n arch an! battle Tie jnn pal feature n ill these e ol
t ons s that of a battal on ehang ng Is 1 rect on by s ng ng o fs enter This
however ^ not to le lore by nheei ng for by a large boly n the oo<Js it would
be n pra ticable
Th e nanoe res n ly e f n p I a nun f 1 a ^ d
platoon as nell as battil on
W H IIABK SON
Major (.criLTal L'ommanJing.
Harrison ENTiiLsiAaTic.vLf.Y Received
August 31 : General Harrison overtook the army between Lebanon
and Dayton. He was received enthusiastically by all the troops as com-
mander-in-chief with three cheers.
September 1: The army arrived at Dayton, fifty miles from Cin-
cinnati, and was saluted by the firing of cannon. One of the gunners
had one of his hands shot off and the«other badly wounded. We arrived
at Piqua, September 3, thirty miles from Dayton, on the Big Miami.
September 4 1 Received information of the critical situation of Fort
Wayne. Colonel Allen's regiment and two companies from Colonel
Lewis's drew twenty-four i-ounds of ammunition and started with all
possible speed to the relief of that fort.
September 5 : General Harrison having paraded the remaining part
of the army in a circle in close order, delivered a speech to them, stating
that he had just received intelligence from Port Wayne that it was in
great danger of being taken by the Indians and British ; he said we were
under the necessity of making a forced march to their relief. He read
some of the articles of war and stated the absolute necessity of such
regulations and restrictions in an army, and if there were any who
could not comply nor feel willing to submit to these articles and go on
with him they might then return home. One man, belonging to Scott's
regiment, chose to return home rather than submit to the terras. Some
of his companions obtained permit to escort him part of his way home.
Two of them got him upon a rail and carried him to the river; a crowd
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74 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
followed after; they ducked him several times in the water and diluted
his war spirit liberally.
September 6; We marched at 12 o'clock, left our sick and part of
our clothing and baggage at Piqua in order to make as much speed as
possible. On the morning of the eighth, three miles from St. Mary's,
one of Captain MeOowen 's company was accidentally shot through the
body by one of the sentinels. It was a mortal wound and the man, we
learned afterward, died in a few days. "We marched four miles today
and camped near the River St. Mary's, one mile from the fort. General
Harrison called the army together and stated that through an emergency
we must be on half rations of flour for a few days, but should draw a
ration and a half of beef, as he wished to go as light and as swift as
possible. He said, "Any who do not feel willing to go on these terms
may remain at the fort and have plenty." I did not hear of one man
staying behind.
September 9: We marelied through some first rate woodland and
through a large prairie of the best quality, though badly watered. We
were without drinking water for hours except such as could be scooped
out of the wagon ruts in the road ; and even that was far from slaking our
burning thirst. We encamped near River St. Mary's, eighteen miles
from the fort. At eleven o'clock and again at three, were alarmed by
the sentinels firing several guns ; we formed in order of battle and stood
so for a quarter of an hour.
September 11: The scouts wounded an Indian and got his gun and
blanket; our day's march was eleven miles. We stopped earlier than
usual in order to make breastworks, and because it was a convenient
place for water. We fortified this place very strongly with timber. At
eleven o'clock the camp was alarmed by the tiring of many guns by the
sentinels. The whole army was formed in (luick time, the horse ti'oops
being in the center, ready to assist any line, or to obey any order that
might be given. Over half the men were dismissed and retired to their
tents for one hour, when they relieved the other half. At 3 o'clock an-
other alarm was sounded. We stood in order of battle for some time.
The watchword was "Fight On" and the fort was afterwards called
"Fort Fight On."
September 12 : We continued our march towards Fort Wayne with
as much caution as the nature of our haste would permit. We expected
to meet the enemy before reaching the fort. In a certain well known
swamp through which we were obliged to pass, we thought it likely the
enemy might harbor. We passed the swamp unmolested for a mile. We
were then alarmed. The rear battalions formed in order of battle but
saw no enemy to flght ; we immediately resumed our march. Nothing of
interest occurred up to the 15th when Colonel Wells was instructed to
destroy the Miami towns at the forks of the Wabash. General Harrison
thought proper to go with General Payne. Next morning we came to an
Indian hut and a small cornfield, two miles from our encampment ; here
all the wagons and baggage was left and Captain Langhorn's company
on guard ; from this place we marched twenty -three miles to an Indian
town which we found evacuated; we pulled down some of their houses
and built up fires, then went into camp for the night. Here we had an
abundance of green corn roasting ears of the best sort. It was a small
kind of corn, shallow grain and very suitable for roasting ears, which
was quite a welcome addition to our waning stock of provisions.
Sekious Shortage of Provisions
October 4, 1812; There has been great murmuring in eamp on ac-
count of the shortage of provisions, which at times threatened dissolu-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 75
tion of this army. General Harrison having paraded the troops, ad-
dressed them, saying that there were twenty-five thousand rations pro-
vided for them at St. Mary 's ; that these should be conveyed here as soon
as possible, a portion, today doubtless ; he stated the consequence of such
mutinous complaints, and if this army were to disperse, where conld he
get men who would stand firm? He said every effort for the supply of
clothing and provisions for this army should be used. He further stated
that re-inforcements from Pennsylvania and Virginia were soon to join
us to the number of ten thousand.
October 9 : A few days ago, one of our soldiers, Frederick Jaeoby,
belonging to the 17th regiment of U. S. Infantry was tried by a eourt-
martial, and condemned to be shot. The troops paraded and formed in
a hollow siiuare, in close order, where the Rev. Mr. Shannon delivered a
short discourse on the occasion. The condemned was marched from the
provost guard with solemn music under a guard of a subaltern, sergeant,
corporal and twenty privates to the place of execution; here he was
blindfolded ; then the guard stood back from him a few paces, awaiting
the hour of execution. Truly, a solemn scene amid the impressive
silence. Fortunately for tlie man under sentence, a reprieve arrived for
him just before the time set for his execution. The; general judged him
not of sound mind.
"Fort Winchester" Comi'leted
October 19: The fort is at length finished and christened "Fort
Winchester." It is composed of four block houses, a hospital and store
house picketed between the four blockhouses all embracing about a
quarter of an acre.
Probably the most cheering news that we have received for a long
time was communicated to the army this day, October 27th in an ad-
dress by General Winchester, which stated that they would shortly be
in receipt of a sufficient (juantity of warm comfortable clothing and
shoes, ' 'amongst which are ten thousand pairs of shoes, five thousand blan-
kets, five thousand round jackets, five thousand pairs of trousers; be-
sides woolen cloth for making up, as needed. Besides this there were
one thousand watch coats, five thousand blankets, one thousand yards
of flannel ; twelve thousand pairs of shoes ; ten thousand pairs of woolen
socks, and ten thousand pairs of long woolen hose. "Yet a few days,"
closes the General's words, and the General consoles himself with the
thought of seeing those whom he has the honor to command clad in warm
woolen clothing capable of resisting the northern blasts of Canada.
. American Soldiers on the M.vrcij
Uecember 29, 1812: {The journal resumes under this date.) We
are now about to commence, one of the most serious and ardous marches
ever performed by the Americans. Destitute in a measure of clothes,
shoes and provisions tlie most essential articles necessary for the exist-
ence and preservation of the human species in this world and more
particularly in this cold climate. Three sleds are prepared for each com-
pany each to be drawn by a packhorse which lias been without food for
two weeks, except brush, and will not be better fed while in our service ;
probably the most of these horses never had harness on ; but the pre-
sumption is they will be too tame. We have made harness out of green
hides.
December 30: After nearly two months' preparation for this expedi-
tion, we commenced our march in great splendor (!) Our clothes and
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76 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
blankets looked as If they had a more intimate association with mud than
water. One of our men declared that our commander was "General
Poverty" instead of Winchester,
The next entry in this journal is of January 10 : We arrived at
Hull's road at the Rapids fifty miles from Fort Defiance and encamped
upon a high and suitable piece of ground, the weather very cold after a
thaw, caused much suffering. The snow which has been falling con-
stantly for two days and nights is from twenty to thirty inches deep.
We had to atop early in afternoon to prepare our encampment ; to shovel
the snow away, make fires, and pitch our tents was no trifling task; after-
wards gathering bark, bushes and twigs to make our beds. jMany of the
horses gave out and sleds broke down, so that the loads had to be carried
or hauled by the men. I have seen six Kentnekians substituted for one
horse, trudging along through the deep snow, and keeping pace with the
foremost !
Wolftown, January 15, 1813: In marching to this place we came
through Roche de Baut, (pronounced Rush de bow) which had formerly
been a French settlement, and also an Indian town. Early next morning
(as cold a morning as our Kentnekians ever experienced) a detached party
of 676 men marched in front of the baggage, and went on four miles be-
low the Rapids, to ascertain if it were true, as reported, that there were six
hundred Indians encamped and picketed in, six miles below the rapids.
This proved to be simply rumor.
January 11, 1813 : Some fresh signs of Indians were seen near camp.
A detachment of twenty-four men was sent out immediately, under the
command of Captain Williams. They had not got far before they dis-
covered the Indians. The firing eomraeneed on both sides nearly at the
same time. The Indians stood but a little time before they ran, but not
until they had lost some of their savage blood. They were put to fliglit
entirely, leaving much of their plunder behind them.
January 13, 1813 : Two Frenchmen came into camp last night from
the River Raisin, who received information of the army being here from
those Indians that Captain Williams pursued, who got there the night
after the skirmish, stopped only a few minutes, then went on to Maiden.
These Frenchmen asked protection and assistance stating the abuse they
had received from the Indians and the danger they were in of losing their
lives and property.
News op Bkitish and Indians
January 15: This morning we received much needed clothing from
our homes in Kentucky, the ladies have certainly sent the means .of sav-
ing lives and suffering.
Another Frenchman came into camp coniirming the statements of the
others. We now began to recruit our strength, after our laborious
march and after being deprived of adequate supply of provisions. Al-
though we have been without flour for days, yet we have been better sup-
plied with other provisions than at any time during our march. We
have here large fields of corn standing in the shock, which is easily
prepared for a most substantial ration. We have erected several pound-
ing machines with hickory "pounders," for mashing the corn. This is
done by making a hole about two feet, or less in diameter in a hard wood
stump, some ten or twelve inches deep ; after the corn has been parched
in big pans, or other suitable dishes over the big camp fires, it is placed
in those hollowed stumps and pounded with heavy pounders, until it is
reduced to a consistency of coarse com meal, it is then taken out and
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 77
stored in large quantities for future use. It is eaten with a little salt,
with pork fat or tallow, and is a very sustaining food.
January 17, 1813 : A Frenchman eame in from the River Baisin ;
stated that two companies of British had just arrived from Canada and
that the Indians were collecting and intending to hurn Frenchtown in a
few days. By the repeated urging of the French, and being counselled
by some of the Field Officers the General has been induced to order out a
detachment of 570 men for an expedition to the River Raisin; contrary,
it was said, to the explicit instructions of General Harrison,
The detachment started early, with three days rations. Frenchmen,
who came from River Raisin, looking on when they started were heard to
remark "not enough men. Injuns and red coats eat 'em up."
Proceeding twenty miles northward to the vicinity of Prestiue Isle a
French village on the south side of the Maumee river. The sight of this
village flJlcd cacii heart with cheerfulness, and relief, for we had been
nearly five months in the wilderness, exposed to eveiy inconvenience and
excluded from every thing that had the remotest resemblance to a
civilized country. When the inhabitants of the village discovered us
they met us with a white flag, and expressed the greatest friendship for
us. They told us that the British and Indians ([uitted Frenchtown sev-
eral days ago and had gone to Brownstown. About three hours after
dark, a reinforcement of one hundred and ten men overtook us, com-
manded by Colonel Allen. Soine time in the night, an express came
from the River Raisin, informing ('oloiiel Lewis that there were four
hundred Indians and two companies oi British there and that Colonel
Elliott was to start the next morning from Maiden, with a reinforcement.
Kentuckians Sc.\re Biii Injun'
January 18, 1813: Wc started early in order to get there before
Colonel Elliott; after traveling fifteen miles, mostly on the ice, we re-
ceived information that the enemy were at the River Raisin waiting
for us. We were then three miles of Frenchto^vn; marching rapidly
and with the firm determination to commer or die. Arriving in
sight of the village, about a quarter of a mile distant, the British
saluted us by tiring upon us with a cannon three times, but no in-
jury was done. During this time ive formed the line of battle, and ad-
vanced on them with a shout. A Frenchman who lived in the town saiil
that when the word eame that the Americans were in sight, there was an
old Indian smoking in liis wigwam ; he jumped up with the exclamation
"Ho, de Mericans come! Spose Ohio men come, we give them nudder
chase!" (AUudiiig to the time they chased General Tupper from the
Rapids.) He walked to the door smoking very unconcerned, and looked
at us as we formed our line and rushed on the town with a mighty shout.
Recognizing the oncoming force he suddenly threw down his pipe,
grabbed his gun, and in great excitement yelled, "Kentuck, by God!"
and ran for the woods like a wild beast. The enemy soon commenced
firing small arms in addition to the cannon, but we kept up our advance
at the double ([uiek, when they soon gave way, and we were in pos-
session of the town, without the loss of a man, and only three slightly
wounded. Twelve of their Indian warriors were slain and scalped and
a few prisoners taken before they escaped to the woods. While retreat-
ing they kept up some firing. We pursued them half a mile to the woods
which were filled with underbrush, and well suited to the Indian method
of fighting, and they at once took refuge behind trees and brushes and
fallen logs, to the best advantage. Our Kentucky riflemen were some-
what used to this mode of warfare and rushed into the woods, taking
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78 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
shelter behind frees, bushes, etc., and gave them a dose of their own
medicine, keeping them on the retreat. During. this time a heavy fire
was kept up on both sides ; at length, after a battle of three hours and
five minutes, we were prevented to continue the pursuit by the approach
of night, and retired to the village, collecting our wounded, and leaving
temporarily our dead where they fell.
After the First Battle of Prenciitown
In this action the Kcntuekians displayed great bravery, after the
fatiguing march over the ice from Pres^jue Isle in the Maumee hay.
Each man was anxious to excel his fellow in avenging the wrongs and
injuries of his country. Our loss in this action was eleven killed and
fifty-one wounded. Although the enemy had the advantage of the vil-
lage in the first attack, and of the woods in the second, their loss, by the
most reliable infonnation, exceeded ours by a considerable number.
One Prenehman stated that they had fifty-four tilled, and one hundred
and forty wounded, part of whom were carried to his house, on Sand
Creek, a few miles' from the village. An express, the Indian prisoner
and two Prenehmen were sent immediately to the Rapids, to report the
result of our engagement with the enemy. Some disagreement arose be-
tween the Indians and the French at Sand Creek ; the Indians had killed
an old man and his wife, which aroused a revengeful spirit in the French.
They applied to us for help in the matter but it was thought improper
to leave the village, though some of them had asaisttd us and fought in
the battle.
January 19, ]813 : A party was sent out to the battlefield to bring in
and bury the dead, all of which, except one weie found scalped and
stripped.
The appearance of the snow-covered battlefield showed that a very
considerable loss must have been sustained by the enemy, where the
bodies had been dragged through the snow. The British left a quantity
of provisions and some store goods which answered a valuable purpose
to us. The wounded were as well eared for and accommodated here, as
they could have been in any part of Kentucky. Apples, cider, sugar,
flour, butter, and whiskey appeared to be abundant. The River Raisin
here runs through a level country, easterly, interspersed with good farms
well improved, and is seventy or eighty yards wide ; the banks are low
and grape vines and fruit trees grow luxuriantly. Frenchtown is situ-
ated on the north side of this river not more than three miles from the
place where it empties into Lake Erie, There is a row of dwelling houses,
about twenty or thirty in number, some of logs and some frame, sur-
rounded by a fence made in the form of picketing, with small saplings
or split timber, from four and five feet high, this is not designed as a
fortification but to secure their yards and gardens from depredations.
Cause of Later Depkat
January 21, 1813, a reinforcement of 230 men arrived in the after-
noon; also Gen, Winchester, Colonel "Wells, Major McClanahan, Surgeons
Irvin and Montgomery and some othei^, not soldiers, who came to eat
apples and drink cider. The officers having viewed and laid off a piece
of ground for a camp and breastworks, resolved that it was too late to
erect fortifications that evening ; further, they resolved that it was not
worth while, though all materials were at hand, to fortify the right wing,
inasmuch as they were not to move there until the next morning. This
plain want of precaution and dilatoriness, was one great cause of the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 79
mournful dofeat which followed the next day. It is quite unexpiainable,
on any grounds, in view of the dangers which threatened us from the
approaeh of the British and Indians from Maiden, only twenty miles
distant. (They were already on the march over the ice we had learned
a little lat«r with artillery to attack us.) The number of the approach-
ing enemy was stated by the man who brought the news, at three thou-
sand. This was not believed by our leading men, who were enjoying
themselves with hot whisky and loaf sugar. The generality of our
force, however, put confidence in the report, and were at least willing,
to give us the benefit of the doubt, and work all night, if necessary, to
perfect our defence. General Winchester had taken up his headquar-
ters at a house of one of the leading Frenchmen of the town (Mr.
Navarre) more than half a mile from the nearest part of the encamp-
ment, the largest and best house in the settlement. The right wing was
wholly unprotected and exposed to the attack of the enemy.
Ensign Harrow was sent with a party of men some time in the night,
by the orders of Colonel Lewis, to bring in all men, either officers or
privates that might be found out of their quarters. After executing this
order, he went to a brick house, about a mile up the river, and entered a
room ; finding it occupied, he went up stairs and saw two men, whom he
took to be British officers, talking with the landlord. The landlord
joined Ensign Harrow, asked him to walk down stairs to a warm room,
and handing him a bottle of whisky, informed him that "there was no
danger, for the British had not a force sufficient to whip us." So Har-
row returned about 1 o'clock and reported to Colonel Lewis the result of
his obs'ervatjoiis. The Colonel treated this report with indifference,
thinking the gentlemen named, were only persons from the village; just
at daybreak the reveille sounded and gave joy to the troops, who had
passed a very uncomfortable night, under the apprehension ȣ an at-
tack at any moment.
Attacked by the Enemy
The reveille had not been beating more than two minutes before the
sentinels iired three guns in quick succession; this alarmed our troops,
who quickly formed and were ready for the enemy before they were
near enough to do any execution. The British immediately discharged
their artillery, loaded with balls, bombs, and grape shot, which did but
slight injury ; they then attempted to make a charge upon those behind
the pickets, but were repulsed with great loss. Those on the right being
entirely exposed, without fortifications of any kind, were overpowered
by superior numbers and ordered to retreat to a more advantageous piece
of ground. They fell into disorder and could not be again formed.
When the right wing began to retreat, it is said, orders were given
by certain officers, to the men in the eastern end of the picketing, to
march out to their assistance — a most unwise order, as the men were
doing great execution as riflemen behind the pickets upon the ranks of
the enemy. Captain Peirce, however, and a number of his men, sallied
out into the open and were shot to pieces instantly. The Indians pur-
sued the scattering troops, from every quarter, surrounded, killed, toma-
hawked and scalped, with awful ferocity, unchecked by the British offi-
cers, who commanded them. The enemy again charged on our left, with
redoubled fury, but were again forced to retire. Our men lay close be-
hind the picketing, through which they had made port holes, and every-
one having a rest took deliberate and certain aim, that his ammunition
might not be spent in vain and every shot fired by those skilled Ken-
tucky riflemen brought down a red-coat or an Indian. After a long and
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80 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
bloody contest, the enemy finding that they could not either by force or
strategem drive us from our position in our fortification, retired to the
woods, leaving their dead on the field; a sleigh was seen about three
hundred or four hundred yards from our lines going towards our right,
supposed to be loaded with ammunition to supply the cannon. They
received prompt attention from our Kentucky sharpshooters, who billed
the men in charge and wounded the horses. Some Indians who wece
concealed behind the log houses, continued to annoy us with scattering
balls.
KeNTUCKIANK Cir.VGRINED AT Stj'RBENDER
At this time bread from the commissary 'a house was handed around
among our troops who sat very composedly eating and watching the
movements of the enemy as if on parade. We had finished our meagre
lunch, when a white flag was seen approaching. It was thought to be for
a cessation of hostilities that our enemies might carry off their dead,
which numerously lay scattered around over the late battlefield, although
they had been continually busy during the action, bearing their dead and
wounded away to their rear. But what was our surprise and mortifica-
tion, when we heard that General Winchester with Colonel Lewis had
been taken prisoners by the Indians, in an attempt to rally the right
wing, and that General Winchester had surrendered us prisoners of
war to Colonel Proetor the next highest in command. Major Madison,
did not agree to this, until Colonel Proctor had promised that the prison-
ers should be protected from the Indians, the wounded cared for, the
dead collected and buried and private property respected.
Colonel Proetor had informed General Winchester that he would
afford him an opportunity to surrender his troops and if not accepted
he would let loose the Indian savages upon us who would bum the town,
and he would not be accountable for their conduct. General Winchester
not knowing how we had successfully- resisted the enemy's efforts, nor
acquainting himself with the opinion of his oiRcers nor the feeling of his
men, probably thought the worst would happen if surrender was de-
clined.
But why did not Proctor make this proposition before he had exerted
all his skill in trying to bum the town, and setting his savage allies to
do as their bloodthirsty appetites led them. Proetor knew very well that
he was at "the end of his tether" — and convinced that the brave Ameri-
cans were "too much for him," It was subsetinently learned that Proc-
tor had actually ordered a retreat to Maiden at the very time that Win-
chester, losing ins nerve, was arranging to surrender. Simply a success-
ful bluif !
If was even then that our troops, feeling perfect confidence in their
ability to cope with the enemy and win the victory, most reluctantly
accepted this crushing proposition; there was scarcely a man but was
ready to shed tears ! Many pleaded with the officers not to surrender,
pledging themselves willing to die in the effort to avoid such a disgrace-
We had only five killed and twenty-five wounded inside the pickets!
The British asked when they came in what we had done with our
dead and wounded, as they saw but few on the ground. A barn having
been set on fire to drive the Indians from its shelter, they concluded that
to conceal our dead we had thrown them into these tlames ! One of the
houses that the wounded were in was much shattered by the cannon balls
of the enemy, though only a very few struck so low as a man's head.
The bombs tlew over. Some burst fifty feet above the ice on the river
and some fell on the south aide. In this battle their six cannon, three
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 81
six-pounders and three three-pounders did but little injury to us. One
of the former is said to have gone through the ice into the river.
The gallantry, firmness and general brave conduct of all the troops
engaged in this engagement is worthy of all praise. While the men were
at their posts firing, the officers were passing along the lines supplying
ammunition and all else needed. Engaged in this employment, Major
Graves was severely wounded in the knee. He sat down, bound up his
wound and cried: "'Boys, I am wounded; never mind me, but fight on!"
The Surbendek
The British collected their troops and marched in front of the village
along the bank of the river. We marched out and grounded our arms in
heat and bitterness of spirit. The British and Indians took possession
of them at once. But all the swords, dirks, hunting knives and toma-
hawks were given up with the definite understanding that they were to
be returned to us again, a pledge that was not kept in one single instance.
All the prisoners except those badly wounded, Dr. Todd, Dr. Bowers
and a few attendants, were marched towards Maiden. The British said
as they had a great many of their own wounded to take to Maiden that
evening it would be impossible to take ours before morning, but they
would leave a sufficient guard so that they would not be interfered with
by the Indians, You will presently observe with what vindictiveness and
inhumanity all these promises were violated.
Indian" Oi;tiu.ges.
Before the British and prisoners marched the Indians ransacked the
camp, plundering and stealing and destroying without the least interfer-
ence or effort to prevent it by the men who had promised protection to
our property according to the demand of Major Madison. After steal-
ing everything they could carry away and destroying the remainder, they
visited the sick and wounded, taking away from them whatever suited
their fancy and insulting them in every vile way. After they had gone I
bolted the door. They came back in a short time, and finding the door
locked, broke it open with their tomahawks.
I immediately applied to a British officer and told him the Indians
were committing outrages and ignoring the arrangement made by the
understanding with Colonel Proctor by General "Winchester. He turned
around and called to another officer to send the guard. The Indians had
at that time plundered the commissary's house, which was near the house
in which were the wounded and taken everything of any use or value,
then piled rails and brush against it and set them on fire. With the as-
sistance of two British officers we put out the fire. One of the British
officers, Major Rundels, inquired where the ammunition was. I told him
if there was any it was upstairs. We went up, but found none ; there
was, however, a large amount of wheat stored in the loft ; he said it was
a pity that if was there, because the Indians wound burn the building.
I apprehended from that the town would be burned and began to lament
our wretched condition. After we went down Rundel asked me how
many we had killed and wounded on the 18th. I told him, but he dis-
puted it. I had the returns in my pocket and showed it to him, which
he read without comment. Those of us that remained being hungry, I
applied to one of tbe British in the evening for some flour, as there were
a good many barrels in the commissary's store which I had considered
belonged to them. He told me to take as much as I wanted. I asked him
if there was any guard left on duty. He said there was no necessity for
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82 IIISTORV OF MOXROE COUXTV
any, Tor llii> liutiaiis wiirc goiiip; to tlifir camp, ami tlieiv were inter-
firi'tiTs wlio wimhl walk IVoni liimsc to l}oiisc ami rpc; tliat tlicre woiilil
1)(' no iiitiTlVi'ciicc with iis. Uc kept \v;ilkiii<t alroiit iiiiil IdokiiiJi towanis
tlic road. JTu told iiu- f lind lirtler kivp iiinidc tlic house, lor tlie Imlians
would as soon shoot me !IK not, iilthoufih he liail .just told me we should
not he iiilei'Tefed with. T rather suspected he was looking for (JcncntI
IliirrisDii. wlio was eN|iceled li.v some to arrive witli fresh troops, liiil
this uiis nol to he,
liinrisii l'i(n\iisi:s Vio!. \'ri-;ii.
\s thi I iilish did mit li iM til. _ini<! uhuh 1ho |>iomiscd. I lost
idl .oiihd. m, ni thill liomn ui luliius ol hum init\ ilkI . \peeled we
would all i» missKifd In loi. uioinin.' \sl\\.istlu (ud\ ]» rsoii in this
lioiisi luit nonudul T )ii(]>im<I witli llii issistiim ol tlu)S( who were
til. hast liiiil somdlii))-' tiu ihontthnU to ( it I h. liidi iiis kept lurk-
ing nirl Si inhiiif: .dioul IrmiL till illd diik t)ni ■tun into the house
w. oinii'U'l ^^llo .oiilil I ilK 1 n.lMi i ^<l^ litth ind sud he eoni-
itniM: i)i]i\ ijul that most ol that i-o)ii-
II SIM up Ihui „uns ph iddl for their
tlicv unuld spn, th( m hut liis hovs"
Jis hi < dhd (hnii \\auU\ lomihiwk Hum vMthmit imn\ Ih further
said flu i>liu (lilt « IS livd np hitwMn tin Uiitish and Indians before
lh( hitlh <imniuiu(d w is Hi it th, Biitish \\.\< to attack in front to
iiuhiK iistoiliiu< ontluiii hn. himdiid Indi ins w< ic placed on tlie
right ind ti\( liinidn d on tin h ft to flink iiid t ik( jiossevsion of the
town Init Ih siuI tlu \iiu(i< ms wtu too tnunnift loi thorn and would
not iiio-\< out tiom tilt |)uk<ts
A\( pi'^sid tlu iiiisu.ihh night iindii tht most stiioiis appiebension
of hiintr massaiied In th( tomahawk oi tonsmuul ni the flaniLS. I frc-
r|in nth «f nt out dnnng th* nuht to see if the lions* had been fired. At
length th( long wish(d toi nionimg annul filling onr hearts with the
hope since W( \m?il* still ainc tliitHi should In d<li\< i(d from the bar-
l)arons cruelties of those meieilesf, sa\.i^is "\\i in uh i\Qiy preparation
to he read\ forth* promised sleighs wbuh ii>\ii < im but instead, alas!
abont nn bonr aft* r snnns( a vast numlu i ot s n ig( s, pauitrd m various
colois ind \ellinf; liideoiisU nm< sHannmii aiouiid our house, sent
then b\ tin l^e^(n more cruil and pcifidious liiitish Tbe\ lushed into
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HISTOKY OF MONROE COUNTY 83
the houses where the suifermg and despondent wounded lay, instantly
stripped them of blankets and clothing and ordered them to leave the
houses ! I at once ran out of tiie house to inform the interpreters what
was going on. At the door an Indian snatched my hat and put it on his
own head, I then discovered that all the other houses where the wounded
were had heen visited and the inmates as inhumanly used as the first.
It is impossible to describe the scenes here enacted — they surpass de-
scription or belief. I saw my fellow soldiers, naked and wounded, in that
bitter wintry weather crawling out of their houses to avoid being con-
sumed in the flames which were destroying them. Men that had not been
able to turn themselves on their beds for four days were now forced to
flee or be burned to death; they cried for help, but there were none to
help tiieni! Even at that tliere were many who, being absolutely unable
to escape, were consumed in the flames. Now the scenes of murder and
all manner of cnielty which wc had been dreading during the night at
the hands of these monsters fully commenced. The savages would rush
upon the wounded an<l in their shocking and bloodthirsty manner shoot,
tomahawk and scalp their victims most cruelly, mangling their naked
bodies as they lay agonizing and weltering in their blood. Others were
started towards Maiden, but being unable to travel as fast as their strong
and uninjured captors, were inhumanly tomahawked, stripped and
scalped. The road followed by the troops and savages was for miles
strewed with the mangled bodies, all left for beasts and birds of prey to
feast upon.
It is hard for the human mind to grasp llie full enormity of these
aw^ful practices in an age of civilisation, and they will always remain
an indelible stain upon the pages of modern warfare and to tlic crying
disgrace of those who could hut did not interfere to prevent tlic out-
rages which I personally witnessed.
N.MiRVTivE ()F Timothy M-vllaky
It sccMis Hiiit others of the Kentucky troops who were at tJie river
Raisin battle and massacre were thoughtful enough to keep a record of
their experiences and these narratives form a most interesting portion
of the history of the tragic events of those perilous times. The following
is the story of one of the volunteers, which is a carefully written paper
of which we have been allowed to make a copy ;
"During tlie battle on the 22d of January, 1813, at Frenchtown, on
the river Raisin, between the combined forces of British Canadians and
Indians and the Americans, I received a \vound from a piece of plank
which had been split off by a cannon ball. It struck me on the side and
unfortunately broke three of my ribs. The battle having terminated
in favor of the combined forces of the enemy, and I not being able to
travel with those American prisoners who were 'to march immediately
for Maiden, I remained on the ground until the next morning with others
of my wounded countrymen who had received a solemn promise from
the British commander that they should be carried to Maiden in sleighs.
To this promise no attention was afterwards paid ! It was sacrificed on
the altar of savage brutality and barbarity ! and to the God of murder
and cruelty ! Instead of sleighs, savages were sent to murder and muti-
late these unfortunate victims !
"After they bad executed in part their purpose on the ground where
we lay, they ordered several other prisoners and myself to march for
Maiden. We had not proceeded far before they tomahawked four of
our number, among them Captain Hart of Lexington, Kentucky. He
had hired an Indian to take him to' Maiden and I witnessed the money
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84 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
paid to the Indian in part for this service. After having taken him
some distance another Indian demanded him, claiming him as his pris-
oner ; the hireling would not give him up ; the claimant seeing that he
could not get him alive, shot him in the left side with his gun. Captain
Hart still remained on his horse ; the claimant then ran up, struck him
with his tomahawk, dragged him from his seat, scalped him and left him
there dying,
"We proceeded forward until we came within three miles of Browns-
town, where we encamped for the night. The next day we resumed our
march to their encampment, seven or eight miles south of Detroit, which
appeared to be their headquarters. They were furnished at this place
with bark wigwams. Here were assembled also a large number of squaws
and children, I should think nearly two thousand. Here they stripped
off my clothes and dressed me after the Indian fashion. They also shaved
off my hair, except a scalp lock on top of my head, which I construed
to be for the purpose of facilitating scalping later on. They next bored
holes in my ears, in which they hung, plentifully, ear rings and chains
for ornaments. They wanted to bore my nose also, but as I objected
vigorously they did not insist. They also painted my face one side black,
the other red, with black and red stripes across. Shortly after these cere-
monies I was adopted into the family of a Pottawatamie that had re-
cently lost a son in the battle of the river Raisin, I was presented for-
mally to this famOy by an Indian, whose name was Ke-wi-ex-Kira. He
introduced me to my future relations, father, mother, brothers and sis-
ters and instructed me to call them such. My father's name was Asa
Chipsaw after whom they called me.
"They asked me if I had a squaw ; upon answering in the negative
they appeared much pleased and brought me a squaw, urging me to
marry her, I refused, telling them that as soon as I got well I would do
so. They took this as an offense and showed ill humor, but did nothing
to me. Later on they examined my wound and rudely dressed it. They
next made a strong tea of sassafras and cherry tree bark which was the
only drink I was permitted to take for fifteen days. They frequently
took me to Detroit for the purpose of helping them to pack provisions
from thence to their camp. But they would not allow me to talk to the
inhabitants of that place. Fifteen loaves of bread, weighing three pounds
apiece, ten pounds of pork, or beef and a peck of corn was what they
drew for six days. This would not last for half that time, the remaining
time they lived on fragments of dog or horse meat,
"They appeared indifferent whether they had killed the animal that
day or whether it had died by some accidental cause eight or ten days
prior to the meal. They appointed me cook, and as they did not appear
to be fastidious in the least, it looked an easy job, hut it wasn't; getting
the necessary fuel and keeping up the everlasting stew was no sinecure.
Whenever any kind of spirits were to be had there was a drunken frolic
of hideous character. When it was at its height no devils in hell could
have been worse. The squaws hid me on these festive occasions to pre-
vent my being murdered. Once I was hid in some brush and had no food
for four days, during all of which time, night and day, the most horrible
uproar was going on in the camp.
"The squaws, who frequently visited me and to whom I appealed for
something to eat, informed me that nothing could be done until the grand
drunk was over, and then the men would have to go out and either kill
provisions or draw from Detroit. On the fourth day when I was about
giving up and expecting to perish from hunger they brought me some
dog meat without salt, and although I thought I could never be brought
to eat dog, yet it was to me at that time the most delicious morsel that I
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 85
ever recollect to have eafen. During my enforced stay with them I saw
a large number of scalps taken by tliem to Maiden where they received
from two to five dollars each, either in whisky or store goods. They said
they got' thirty-seven scalps at the battle of the 18th and upwards of
four hundred on the 22d of January. I replied that there were only ten
scalped on the 18th. They said, "Yankee d — d He!" and they further
stated that they had only two killed on the I8th. I replied, "Indian
d^d lie!" for I saw myself twelve dead on the field. I asked them how
many British and Indians were at the Raisin on the 22d ; they replied
that there were two thousand five hundred Indians and one thousand
British. They once gave me a jug of whisky, asking me to drink. I
Monument Marking the Battleground
Erected by the Monroe Civic Improvement Society.
took what satisfied me and offered them the jug again ; they i
my drinking more. I put the jug to my mouth, but did not drink; they
discovered the deception, crying out, "Yankee no good man— he d — d
lie." They then forced me to drink until they could hear the gurgle in
my throat.
"Soon the camp broke up. Previous to the march of the Indians
they took bark of swamp willow and tobacco, mixed them together, pul-
verizing them, then formed a circle around a fire in the center which
had been formed for that purpose, and one rose and delivered a speech
as I understood relative to the war. At the conclusion of the harangue
the powdered mixture was passed around the circle, each individual tak-
ing a pinch as it passed ; each individual then snuffed a part of his por-
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86 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
tion and threw the remaining part into the fire. After this had been
performed with great solemnity one took the snuff remaining in the ves-
sel and threw it all into the fire. They then took up their packs, raised
the sealp yell, waved their tomahawks over their heads and marched
out for battle.
"There were three thousand warriors who drew four days' rations
at Detroit. When they left us they told us to be good boys and sta\'
there until they came back and they would bring some more Yankees,
who should cook and do all the hard work, and we might go with them
hunting. They left us in care of the squaws and a few old men. We had
no other way of getting free from this unpleasant situation but desert-
ing; for we knew that they had been offered $100 each for four of us by
the citizens of Detroit, but refused it. These four were Major Graves,
Samuel Ganoe, John Davenport and myself. Thinking this as favorable
an opportunity as we should get, I proposed to Samuel Ganoe to set oft'
with me ; he readily consented and we set off just at dark, and ran eight
miles to Detroit. Reaching the house of a Mr. II. we were concealed in a
potato cellar where we remained four days. From there we were taken
to Sandwich and then to Maiden. On the 16th of May we were sent
across the lake (Erie) to Cleveland."
A Poem op the Battle.
There was evidently a poet among the prisoners, for the following
verses were found in a house where some of them were confined in Am-
herstburg :
Battle of the Rubb Raisin
On Edis n
larkness
re gned aro n 1
An]
lent
was the
tentel grou 1
Whe
V solle
s slept profo
lar
in the
wntry
1 lerness
"^o langer 1 1 the aentrj fear
\o wakef 1 wat h at m dnight drear
But Al the foe approa hea eir
Thro gh foreits ftow ing darkly
An 1 ere tl B s I a 1 r sen br ght
Fast flash ng iid the stormy fight
The thun lenng cannon "1 1 1 ght
Hjrel on the siglt most f r ghtf llj
Then leadly fle« 1 e balls of lead
Then many of the foremen blet
And thnce their brandel logon fled
Befo e Kent kv s Ch valr\
And i ng 0 r her ea swords preva 1
Bat h St th t deep an 1 iolef i w 1—
Ah freedom s sons beg n t fa 1
Oppressed 1 v un bers battbng
B t nae \e luntee s ar se
BeloU yo r r ght lanl ol mn flea
Anl hark y ur sho t wh eh rend the ike:
When Ind ana ve!l t m It o slj
El er tl e bloody flel 1 of t-iu e
Dr e back the sa age »1 n e he n e
Por glory waits the y tor s name
Ret rnirg home exult ngly
T s done Tl e hea If I figl t s o e
Thiek lou Is of smoke are se n n —
The snony ph n la e I w th g r
■Wleiefellth fr enls of hbert —
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CHAPTER Vin
WAR OF 1812
Surrender op Detroit — American Soldiers March for Detroit-
Army Surrenders to British Handful — Bombardment op Detroit
—The Fort Surrendered — Patriotism Fully Aroused — Colonel
Cass Breaks Sword Rather Than Give It TJp — British Indian
Alll\nce — RivEB Raisin Massacre — Canadian Comments on
Hull's Surrender — Hull Court-Martialed — From a Private
Viewpoint — British Change of Base.
The historian always approaches the task of chronicling this unhappy
event in the history of Michigan with emotions of sorrow, chagrin and
of the deepest indignation ; that the first instance of such flagrant dis-
loyalty and cowardice in the United States army should liave occurred
on Michigan soil is too bitter a recollection even at this distant day to be
entertained with any degree of patience or equanimity, an act which dis-
graced its perpetrator, and set back for months the ending of the war
at great cost to the nation in money and in loss of its brave soldiers. The
consoling reflection is that Hull was not a Michigan man. The events
of the war of 1812 in a purely military point of view were of such politi-
cal and social importance to Michigan that an outline of them at least is
necessarj" to the complete comprehension of the situation in and around
Monroe, the point in the northwest most deeply interested ; for its loca-
tion on the very borders of civilization and its close contiguity to the
boundary lines between tlie two countries, placing it in the very midst
of the war zone, gives it, necessarily, the most thrilling interest. This in-
volves, unavoidably, a reference to tlie surrender of Detroit in the
early months of the war.
The Surrender of Detroit
Upon this event ; wliatever may have been tlie laudable desire of per-
sonal friends and relatives to remove ohlo(|Hy from an oificer of kind
heart and many good qualities, there has been an almost unanitnons
agreement among military men and others, as to the circumstances and
the character of this most disgraceful and lamentable oeenrrenee, which
have been many times, already, made familiar by historians. Especially
in Lossing's "Field Book of the War of 1812" has it been given with
fullness and accuracy. It will be useless to go into the particulars at
great length.
The conduct of our War Department in delaying important prepara-
tions, and in not usiug greater diligence and expedition in sending out
information of the declaration of war, was most reprehensible. And so
far as it really interfered with any military successes, the excuse should
he, and has been allowed to all officers and others who did their best. But
it is also no more than reasonable to discard from such allowance, any dif-
87
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88 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
ficulties or dangera, which, although they might have been possible, either
had no effect upon results or did not exist ; or if they did exist were not
of such a threatening character that any one should have acted rationally
upon them. The delays and diffiBultiea were not confined to American
movements and preparations; and the fears of some "wise men" and
good officers at a distance from the scene concerning the precise nature
of perils on the frontier, could not have been entertained had they been
on the spot, and been acquainted with the conditions of affairs on both
sides of the line.
It will be remembered that there was opposition to the declaration of
war, and of course it was among the possibilities that no declaration
would be made. The vote in congress on the question was very close,
and the issue remained in doubt fo'r some days before the decisive vote
was taken. It appears from various sources, and especially from those
brought to light in General Hull's behalf, that he was opposed to it at
that time and especially to declaring it so early as likely to endanger his
civil jurisdiction, and the people living under it. He claims also to have
been opposed to the invasion of Canada on similar grounds, (although a
letter written by him bears a different construction) and for the reason
that he considered it too strong to be overcome by the American forces;
he was reluctant to accept a military command, fearing that he would
be expected to invade Canada and conduct a vigorous campaign.
Amebican Soldiers JIarch for Detroit
As a matter of fact from the twentieth of July, the army was hourly
in expectation of orders to march on Maiden. The enemy's weakness
was well known, and it was believed, since confirmed, that the English
would have made but little resistance. But time passed on and no such
orders were issued.
On the 17th of August marching orders were given; at eleven o'clock
tents were struck and loaded and the wagon train was moving ; but in-
stead of moving down the road in the direction of the enemy, it was
driven to the landing and ferried across the river, and stationed on the
common north of the fort. Orders were issued during the night to break
camp, and the army marched to Detroit. This act created astonishment
and indignation among the soldiers, and it was freely whispered that
Hull had disgraced the army, and himself. This act of General Hull is
the more astonishing, as it was known that the enemy's force was weak,
and becoming still weaker by desertion; from six hundred and sixty
Canadian militia to one hundred and fifty ; from one hundred Indians
under Tecumseh, to sixty, with but two hundred and twenty-five regulars.
It was also known to Hull that the British officers had already sent their
most valuable effects on board their vessels in port, preparatory to a
precipitate evacuation of the post.
Army Surrenders to British Handful
On the other hand, according to the official report of the Brigade
Major, acting as Adjutant General of the army, the forces under General
Hull numbered two thousand, three hundred effective men, well supplied
with artillery, in addition to the guns of the fort and advance batteries.
There was an abundance of provisions, stores and ammunition for a
month's siege ; nothing, in fact, was wanting to secure the most favorable
action of the troops. But with this superiority of numbers, with the en-
emy already demoralized by fear, and ready to surrender. General Hull
ignominiously surrendered Detroit and his entire army to a handful of
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY B9
British! How this was brought about, and in what manner it was ac-
complished, is told in the following words by one of Hull's officers: "On
the 9th of August, a strong detachment was marched down the road,
with orders to attack the enemy who had crossed the Detroit river in
considerable force, and taken up position nearly opposite the center of
Grosse Isle, cutting off communication with Ohio over which supplies
were expected. The detachment reached them at three o'clock in the
afternoon and immediately charged their lines, driving them three miles
to their boats, in which, as it had become dark and was raining heavily,
most of them escaped to Maiden. In this action the Americans and
British were about equal in numbers. The British brought into action a
large part of their regulars, together with all the Indian contingent, all
under the command of Major Mier. The following day the American de-
tachment, after sending forward the mails and dispatches returned to
the fort. The American loss was sixty-eight men ; the English somewhat
less. This action is known as the Battle of Brovrastown. The principal
development in this affair, was the fa«t that a largely increased force of
Indian allies had joined the standard of Tecumseh, who had circulated
the news of the fall of Alackinaw among the tribes, and summoned them
to him by promises of plunder. Instead of sixty-men (Indians) he now
had nearly six hundred; and by the 16th seven hundred warriors had
joined him, who as a single body of savages were probably never equaled
for bravery.
"A suspicion now grew in the minds of the most active and intelligent
of the volunteers, which soon increased to a point that left no doubt
about the complete failure of the valor and patriotism of the command-
ing general. A Round Robin was proposed, prepared and signed. This
was a written document, the names thereon being signed in a circle, in
order that it should not show who signed first. This was sent to the
Ohio volunteers, requesting the arrest or displacement of the general,
and placing the oldest of the Colonels, Colonel McArthur in command."
"The suspicion and distrust of the Army," says Colonel Hatch, "was
now increased, by General Hull's peremptory refusal to allow Captain
Snelling to cross the river in the night to carry and destroy an unfinished
battery which was being eonstrueted on the opposite bank, under the
direction of Captain Dixon of the Royal Artillery. This was the only
battery of any consequence established by the enemy, and the only one
which injured the Americans. It opened on the afternoon of the fif-
teenth and continued its fire during the morning of the sixteenth, when
a ball from one of its gnns struck and instantly killed Lieutenant Hanks,
who had been in command at Mackinaw. The same ball continued its
course and wounded Surgeon Reynolds, of the Third Regiment of Volun-
teers. On Thursday, August 13th it became necessary to exercise the
greatest vigilance, and that the outlying pickets should be increased. At
eleven o'clock on that evening, a boat was discovered approaching the
fort from the Canadian side of the river, and as it neared the shore, it
was seen that two men were sitting aft, with two others at the oars. The
boat was challenged and came up to the shore, when one of the men gave
the countersign. He was well known to have the confidence of the com-
manding general more fully than any other officer" says the same au-
thority already quoted, "and in almost every case, had been intrusted
with the duty of communication by flag of truce, with the enemy. The
other man appeared, by the dim light, to be young, of good figure, and of
military bearing. They directed their steps to the headquarters of the
commanding general, remaining there three hours. They then returned
to the boat and crossed to the Canadian shore. The boat came back, but
only one of the two men was with her. He gave the word and passed on.
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90 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
At that hour of tlie same night, the capitulation of the fort and the sur-
render of the Northwestern army was agreed upon. The parties to that
agreement were General HuU, on the part of the American army, and
Major Glegg on the part of the British. Major Glegg was one of the
aids-de-camp of General Brock. Just previous to this date a reinforce-
ment of two hundred and thirty men, under the command of Colonel
Henry Brush, of Chillicothe, Ohio, conveying supplies, including one
hundred head of cattle, had arrived at Frenehtown, on the River Raisin,
only thirty-five miles from the fort. Here they halted in consequence of
the threatening attitude of the enemy, and reported to the commanding
general, who issued orders on Friday afternoon, August 14th, for a de-
tachment of about three hundred men, under command of the colonels
of the First and Third Regiments of Ohio Volunteers, to march at twi-
light on the line of a circuitous route or trail, which crossed the River
Rouge several miles above its mouth, continuing far into the interior,
passing the Huron, and striking the Raisin a few miles west of the French
settlement, and passii^ down the stream to Frenehtown. After a. short
delay the detachment were ordered to join Colonel Brush, which they
failed to do until arriving back at Detroit. Here both detachments
joined, and in readiness to participate in an engagement with the enemy
before the fort. "We resumed this unusual inarch, and without halting
until we arrived," says a young captain of the Ohio troops, "about mid-
night, at the edge of the woods ; when to our amazement, consternation
and hot indignation we beheld the British flag floating from the flag staff
of the fort, and the Indians in the large common, driving oif the horses
and cattle. The fort of Detroit and the Northwestern army i\ad sur-
rendered. The detachment that we had just followed was included in
the surrender, as well as that under Colonel Brush, at the River Raisin."
Colonel Brush, however, decided that he and his men would not be sur-
rendered. He detained the British flag sent to inform him of the capitu-
lation long enough to obtain supplies for his soldiers, when the whole
force started for Ohio, where they arrived in safety.
The arrival of the British officers and the report that General Brock
had demanded the surrender of the post, gave the first intimation to
the citizens and soldiers of the proximity of the British General. The
following is the document demanding the surrender :
" Hbadquartees, Sandwich, Aug. 15, 1812. — Sir: The force at my
disposal authorizes me to retjuire of you the immediate surrender of Fort
Detroit. It is far from my inclination to join in a war of extermina-
tion; but you must be aware that the numerous body of Indians who
have attached themselves to my troops will be beyond my control
the moment the contest commences. You will find me disposed to enter
into such conditions as will satisfy the most scrupulous sense of honor.
Lieut. Col. McDonald and Major Glegg are fully authorized to con-
clude any arrangement that may prevent the unnecessary effusion of
blood.
"I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Isaac Brock, Major General, etc.
"His Excellency Brigadier General Hull, etc."
To this letter General Hull returned a decided refusal to comply
with the proposal, although the latter portion of the letter appears to be
apologetic for certain transactions not mentioned further. The following
is General Hull's letter in reply to that of General Brock:
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 91
■"Heidquaetees, Detroit, Aug. 15, 1812. — Sir: 1 have no other
reply to make to you than to inform you that I am prepared to meet
any force that may be at our disposal and any consequences that may
result from any exertion of it you may think proper to make. I avail
myself of this opportunity to inform you that the ilag of truce, under
the direction of Captain Brown, proceeded contrary to the orders and
without the knowledge of Colonel Cass, who commanded the troops
which attacked your picket men near the river Canard bridge. I like-
wise take this occasion to inform you that Cowie's hoiise was set on tire
contrary to my orders, and it did not take place until after the evacu-
ation of the fort. From the best information 1 have been able to get
on the subject it was set on fire by some of the inhabitants on the other
side of the river.
"1 am, very respectfully, your excellency's most humble servant,
"W. Hull, Brigadier General, etc.
"His Excellency Maj. Gen. Brock, etc."
The impression that would naturally be made upon the mind of the
reader of the opening lines of General Hull 's letter could be none other
than that he intended to defend the fort to the last extremity, and that
he and his men would yield only with their lives the flag of their country
to the invader. In this view of the ease, how can the subsequent con-
duct of Hull be accounted for except on the logical conclusion that he
became paniestricken with fear and dismay by the very first step taken
by the British general to enforce the surrender? or that some "under-
standing" existed with him?
Bombardment of Detroit
A short time heforo sunset on the day in which the above communi-
cations passed between the two generals, the British who had been al-
lowed, unmolested, to erect their works on a commanding point of ground
at Sandwich, commenced firing upon Detroit. The bank of the river be-
ing higher there than on the American side gave them an advantage in
throwing: shot and shells into the fort. But little damage was done, how-
ever, and but one man was injured and that only slightly in one arm.
The fire was returned from one of the batteries which had been built near
the centre of the town. The attack upon Detroit by the enemy con-
tinued until near midnight when it was suspended for a few hours. At
daylight on the 16th it was resumed on both sides, opened by the British.
The firing on our side was kept up until orders were given to stop firing,
but continued on the other side, for fifteen or twenty minutes after our
batteries became silent; during this time two commissioned ofReers, a
surgeon and two privates had been killed. Soon after Captain Hull, son
of the commanding general, was sent across the river with a flag of truce.
During the bombardment of Detroit many incidents, amusing or
otherwise, occurred. At its commencement the citizens, being unaccus-
tomed to the roar of artillery, the rattling of shot against the sides and
upon the roofs of the houses and the explosions of shells, kept a vigilant
eye upon the movements of the enemy upon the soutli side of the river;
whenever the flash or smoke of cannon appeared from that quarter they
dodged behind some building or other place of shelter. In a short time,
however, they became accustomed to the new order of things and paid
less attention to the tumult and the flying missiles. Judge Woodward.
one of the judges of the Territorial Supreme Court, at that time, was
living in his bachelor apartments in a stone building standing on the north
side of Jefferson avenue, which was the principal street of the town and
numing parallel to the river. Between this house and the river there
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92 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
stood a largG brick storehouse belonging to the government and near this
one of our batteries was built. A shot passed over this building and
struck the stone house in which the judge resided. lie had just risen
from his bed in the morning and was standing beside it when the shot
■ crashed into his room and struck the bed and pillows and drove them into
the fireplace, the spent ball rolling out on the floor. The Judge was some-
what startled by the close call, but coolly picked up the cannon ball,
placed it on the mantel piece and afterwards labeled it: "Souvenir of
my first caller on August 16, 1812, who came unannounced."
On the evening of the 15th a large shell was thrown from a mortar
placed at a point opposite where Woodward and Jefferson avenues now
intersect. As it came hurtling through the air it was watched with an
anxious eye by those who saw it as a messenger of death, perhaps, to
some fellow mortal unconscious of his approaching fate. The fuse was
burning brightly as it flew on its errand of destruction. It passed over
Jefferson avenue and fell upon a house standing at the present corner of
Woodward avenue and Congress street. Passing through the upper
rooms of the house it fell upon a table around which the family was
seated and thus descended through the floor into the cellar, the fuse hav-
ing burned down nearly to the powder. The family stood not upon the
order of their going, but fled precipitately to the street, which they had
barely reached when the shell exploded, tearing up the floors and carry-
ing away a part of the roof. No fatalities, however, occurred to the citi-
zens during the attack by the British, though many of the buildings bore
evidence of the effect of the Sandwich (Windsor now) batteries upon
their walls.
The fort occupied high ground, back some distance from the river,
the barracks being upon the north side. A shot passed over the front
wall, penetrated the barracks, and killed three officers who chanced to
stand in range. Another shot struck the top of the front parapet and,
passing through it, struck a soldier on the breast, over the heart, killing
him instantly without breaking the skin where it struck.
One of the French citizens who lived in a small house near the river,
while the shots and shells were flying over and around him, stood in his
doorway unconcernedly smoking his long clay pipe. Presently a shell
whizzed past his face, taking with it the pipe from the Frenchman's
mouth. He was unharmed, but so indignant at this unceremonious lib-
erty and the loss of his pipe that he seized his musket and, rushing to the
river, waded out as far as he could and flred at the battery across the
stream until his ammunition was exhausted, accompanying the valorous
onslaught with a volley of picturesque French profanity until that also
was exhausted.
In the meantime, under cover of his batteries. General Brock had
crossed the river with his forces, landing at Springwells a mile or two
below the town. Here he formed his line and marched up the narrow
lane leading to Detroit, halting at a shallow ravine just below. Here
he remained entirely unmolested, partaking at his leisure of a sub-
stantial lunch, while he dispatched an officer with a flag to ascertain
why the American general had sent a flag of truce across the river,
when he, the commanding general was on this side.
The Fokt Sukbendered
General Hull sent Capt. Snelling with a note to General Brock,
which he delivered ; the purport of this note was that he had agreed
to surrender the fort. Thus was Michigan again under the flag of
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 93
Great Britain.* A month iiaving elapsed subsequent to the surrender
of the Northwestern array, and the fort and town of Detroit, and no
official report having been received at "Washington, of the transac-
tion. Colonel Cass, who was in the capital on parole, prepared and
submitted to the secretary of war, the following communieation con-
cerning this disastrous affair:
"Washington, Sept. 10, 1812. — Sir: Having been ordered to this
place by Col. McArthur, for the purpose of communicating to the gov-
ernment, such particulars respecting the expedition lately commanded
by Brigadier General Hull, and its disastrous result, as might enable
them to appreciate the conduct of the officers and men, and to develop
the causes which produced so foul a stain upon the national character,
I have the honor to submit to your consideration the following state-
ment:
"When the forces landed in Canada, they did so with an ardent
zeal and were stimulated by the hope of conquest. No enemy appeared
within sight of us, and had an immediate vigorous attack been made
upon Maiden, it would doubtless have fallen, an easy victory. I know
that General Hull afterwards declared he regretted this attack had not
been made, and he had every reason to believe success would have
crowned his efforts. The reason given for delaying our operations,
was to mount our heavy cannon, and allow the Canadian militia time
and opportunity to quit an obnoxious service. In the course of two
weeks the number of their militia who were enrolled and organized
had decreased by desertion from six hundred to one hundred men —
and in the course of a few weeks (probably three) the cannon were
mounted, the ammunition fixed and every preparation made for an
immediate investment of the fort. At a council, at which were present
all the iield officers, held two days before the completion of our prep-
arations it was unanimously agreed to make an immediate attempt to
accomplish the object of our expedition. If by waiting two days, we
could have the service of our heavy artillery it was agreed to wait, —
if not it was determined to go ^ ithout it and to attempt the capture
of the place by storm. This opinion appeared to orrespond with the
views of the General, and tht da\ wis appointed for commencing
our march. He declared to me that he coi stdeied himself pledged
to lead the army to Maiden. The ammunition was placed in the wagons
' The following inciclent in con ect on w tl the ''urrenler of Detro t by Ceneral
Hull, anil relating to the Mt of GeaeraU hss wh h i now a part of the histor
Pal narrative of that deplorable e e t wa? wr tten by an eve tne^s to the act
ami is taken from the Zanesville (Oho) A irora irnt 1 n 1848
Zanesville Ohio Ju b I 1S4S
To the Editor of the Aurora:
Sir: In the Zanesville Courier of th s "late I not eel in art cle leiled The
Broken Stoord;" in which it is stated thit the honor of break ng hs ivord s
"borrowed, or rather stolen cop tal that t bis Cen Mi-trfh r anl ot Gen
Lewis Caaa, who broke his sword at the time of Hull a h rren ler Now t n ay be
that Col. MeArthur did break hia sword for he was a patriot and brave man but
if he aid, the writer of this did not see or hear of t at the t me B t I d i see
Col. Cass break his sword at the p ckets where Cen Brock — the Br t sh con n ander
— met Colonels McArthur and Cass iboie tie Well Spr ngs below Detro I was
standing within six feet of Col. Ca>.B at the time and I n w 11 torget the nj g
nation and mortifieation he exhih ted at tie t me
His faithful blade he shivered there —
Remonstrance would not hear;
He would not strike his counir; 's flag —
The brave old volunteer!
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94 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
the canuou were embarked on board tlie floating batteries, and every
requisite article was prepared. The spirit and zeal, the ardor and the
animation displayed by officers and men on learning the near accom-
plishment of their wishes was a sure and sacred pledge that in the hour
of trial they would not be wanting in their duty to their country and
themselves. By a change of measures, in opposition to the wishes and
opinions of all the officers, was adopted by the Oeneral. The plan of
attacking Maiden was abandoned, and instead of acting offensively, we
broke up our eamp, evacuated Canada, and rc-crossed the river in the
night, without even the shadow of an enemy to injure us. We left to
the tender mercy of the enemy, the miserable Canadians who had joined
us, so that the protection we had afforded tlieui was but a passport to
vengeance. This fatal and unaccountable step dispirited the troops,
and destroyed the little confidence which a scries of timid, irresolute
and undecisive measures had left in the commanding officer.
"About the tenth of August, the enemy received a re-inforcement
of four hundred men. On the 12tli the commanding officers of three
of the regiments, the fourth was absent, was informed through a medium
which admitted of no doubt, that the general had stated that a capitu-
lation would be necessary. They on. the same day addressed Governor
Meigs of Ohio a letter of which the following is an extract. 'Believe
all the bearer will tell you. Believe it, however much it will astonish
you, as much as if told you by one of us. Even a e is talked of
by the — — . The bearer will fill the blank lines.' The risk of send-
ing this letter to Governor Meigs and the doubt if its reaching its des-
tination, and possibly falling into improper hands made it necessjiry
to use the utmost circumspection in giving details, and therefore the
blanks were left. The word 'capitulation' will till the first, and 'com-
manding general' the other. As the enemy was not near us, and as the
superiority of our forces was manifest we could see no necessity for
capitulating, nor any propriety in alluding to it. We therefor deter-
mined in the last resort to incur the responsibility of divesting the gen-
eral of his command. This plan was eventually prevented by two of
the commanding officers of regiments being ordered upon detachments.
"On the 13th, the British took a position opposite Detroit, and be-
gan to throw up works. During that and the two following days, they
pursued their oh,iect without interruption, and established a battery
for two 18 pounders and an 8 inch howitzer. About sunset on the even-
ing of the 14th, a detachment of 350 men from the regiments com-
manded by Col. M 'Arthur and myself, w'as ordered to march to the
River Raisin, to escort the provisions, which had some time remained
there protected by a party under the command of Capt. Brush.
"On Saturday, the 15th, about one o'clock, a flag of truce ajrived
from Sandwich, bearing a summons from Gen. Brock, for the surren-
der of the town and fort of Detroit, stating, he could no longer restrain
the fury of the savages. To this an immediate and spirited refusal was
returned. About four o'clock their batteries began to play upon the
town. The fire was returned and continued without interruption and
with little effect till dark. Their shells were thrown till eleven o'clock.
"At day light the firing on both sides re-commenced — about the
same time the enemy began to land troops, at the Springwells, three
miles below Detroit, protected by two of their armed vessels. Be-
tween 6 and 7 o'clock they had effected their landing, and immediately
took up their line of march. They moved in a close column of platoons,
twelve m front upon the bank of the river.
"The fourth regiment was stationed in the fort — the Ohio volun-
teers and a part of the Michigan militia, behind some pickets, in a
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 95
situation in wliich tlie whole flank of tlie enemy ivould liave been ex-
posed. The residue of the Michigan militia were in the upper part of
tlie town to resist the incursions of the savages. Two 24-poundera
loaded with gi-ape-shot were posted upon a commanding eminenee,
ready to sweep the advancing column. In this situation, the supe-
riority of our position was apparent, and our troops in the eager expec-
tation of victory, awaited the approach of the euemy. Not a siyh of
discontent broke upon the ear, iioi' a look of cowardice met the eye.
Every man expected a proud day for his country, and each was anxious
that his individual exertion should contribute to the general result.
"A¥hen the head of their column arrived within about five hun-
dred yards of our line, orilers were received from General Hull for the
whole to retreat to tlie Fort, and the twenty-four pounders not to open
upon the enemy. One iniiversal burst of indignation was apparent
upon the receipt of this order. Tliose whose conviction was tlie delili-
erate result of a dispassionate examination of passing events, saw the
folly and impropriety of (crowding 1100 men into a little work which
300 could fully man, and into which the shot and shells of the enemy
were falling. The fort was in this manner filled: the men were directed
to stack their arms, and scarcely was an opportunity afforded of mov-
ing. Shortly after a white flag was hung out upon the walls. A Brit-
ish officer rode up to enquire the cause. A eommunieatJon passed
between the commanding generals, wliich ended in the capitulation
submitted to you. In entering into this capitulation the general took
counsel from his own feelings only. Not an olTieer was consulted. Not
one anticipated a surrender, till he saw the white flag displayed; even
the women were indignant at so shameful a degradation of the Ameri-
can character; and all felt as they should have felt, but lie who held
in his hands the reins of authority.
"Our morning report had that morniuK made our effective lueu
present fit for duty 1,060, without including the detachment before al-
luded to, and witliout including ;J00 of the Michigan militia on duty.
About dark on Saturday evening the detachment sent to escort the
provisions, received orders from Gen. Hull to return with as much
expedition as possible. About 10 o'clock the next day they an-ived
within sight of Detroit. Had a firing been heard of an.v resistance
visible, tliey would have advanced and attacked the rear of tlu' enemy.
The situation, in which this detachment was placed, although the result
of accident, w"as the best for annoying the enemy and cuttinjr off his
retreat that could have been selected. With his raw troops enclosed
Iwtween two fires and no hope of succoi", it is hazarding little to say,
that very few would have escaped.
"I have been informed by Col. Findley, who saw the return of tlieir
quarter-master- general, the day after the surrender, that their whole
force of every description, white, red and black, was 1030. They had
twenty-nine platoons, twelve in a platoon, of men dressed in uniform.
Many of those were evidently Canadian militia. The rest of their
militia increased their white force to about seven hundred men. The
number of their Indians could not be ascertained with any degree of
precision; not many were visibfe. And in the event of an attack upon
the town and fort, it was a species of force which could have afforded
no materia] advantage to the enemy.
"In endeavoring to appreciate the motives and to investigate the
causes which led to an event so unexpected and dishonorable, it is im-
possible to find any solution in the relative strength of the contend-
ing parties, or in the measures of resistance in our power. That we
were far superior to the enemy ; that upon any ordinary principles of
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96 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
calculation we would have defeated them, the wounded and indignant
feelings of uvery man there will testify.
"A few days before the surrender, I was informed by Gen. Hull,
we had 400 rounds of 24 pound shot fixed and about 100,000 cartridges
maae. We surrendered with the fort 50 barrels of powder and 2500
stand of arms.
"The state of our provisions has not been generally understood. On
the day of surrender we had 15 days' provisions of every kind on hand.
Of meat there was plenty in the country, and arrangements had been
(inade for purchasing and grinding the flour. It was calculated we
could readily procure three months' provisions, independent of 150
barrels of flour, 1300 head of cattle which had been forwarded from
the state of Ohio, and which remained at the River Raisin, under Capt.
Brush, within reach of the army.
"But had we been totally destitute of provisions, our duty and our
interest was undoubtedlv to fight. The enemy invited us to meet him
in the field.
"By defeating him the whole country would have been open to us,
and the object of our expedition gloriously and successfully obtained.
If we had been defeated, we had nothing to do but to retreat to the fort,
and make the best defence circumstances and our situation rendered
practicable. But basely to surrender without firing a gun — tamely to
submit without raising a bayonet — disgracefully to pass in review be-
fore an enemy as inferior in the quality as in the number of his forces,
were circumstances which excited feelings of indignation more easily
felt than described.
"To see the whole of oiir men flushed with the hope of victory, eag-
erly awaiting the approaching contest ; to see them afterwards dispirited,
hopeless desponding, at least five hundred of them actually shedding
tears because they were not allowed to meet their country's foes, and
to fight their country's battles excited sensations which no American
has ever had cause to feel, and which I trust in God will never again
be felt, while one man remains to defend the standard of the Union,
I am expressly authorized to state that Colonels McArthur and Findley
and Lieut. Colonel Miller viewed the transaction in the light that I do.
They know and I feel that no circumstances in our own situation, none
in that of the enemy, can excuse a capitulation so dishonorable and so
unjustifiable. This too, is the universal sentiment among the troops:
and I shall be surprised to learn that there is one man who thinks it
was necessary to sheath his sword or lay down his musket.
"Confident I am that had the courage and conduct of the general been
eriual to the spirit and zeal of the troops the event would have been as
brilliant and successful as it now ia disastrous and dishonorable.
"Very respectfully, Sir,
"Lewis Cass, Colonel Third Regiment Ohio Volunteers.
"Hon. William Eustis, Secretary of Wax."
Patriotism Fully Aroused
The surrender of Detroit, after the first moment any shock of its
■innouncement aroused the spirit and patriotism of the entire coun-
try, particularly among the people of the northwest who felt espec-
ially a^rieved by the disaster. A feeling amounting to enthusiasm
pervaded the whole community. The entire country was electrified,
as if was when the news was published after firing upon Fort Sum-
ter. The call to arms was hailed with rapture by the pioneer popu-
lation of the west. Men capable of bearing arms vied with each other
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 97
in their attempts to be first in enrolling themselves. Men of every
rank and station in life filled the rolls of volunteers. By tiie 25tii
of August, nine days after the surrender, 4,000 men completely armed
and equipped, voluntarily assembled at l^rbana, Ohio. Kentucky, Vir-
ginia, Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania poured forth their best citi-
zens by thousands. The city and county of Baltimore alone proposed
to raise an entire regiment. On the spur of the moment 1,800 Ken-
tuckians marched from Newport. Virginia sent out 1,500 men, for
whom the ladies made tents and knapsacks. Even those who had been
opposed to the war were affected by the hearty patriotism jnanifested
by deeds, and many became strong advocates.
As characteristic of the feeling which animated the west, the fol-
lowing card, which appeared in the newspapers of that (\»y, is bei'e
inserted :
"A Card. — Col. Symnies, of the senior division of the Ohio Militia,
presents his respectful compliments to Major-General Brock, command-
ing his Britanic Majesty's forces, white and red, in Upper Canada.
Colonel Symmes obsen-ing that by the 4th article of Capitulation of
Fort Detroit, to 5Iajor-General Brock, all public arms moving towards
Detroit, are to be delivered up, hnt as no place of deposit is pointed
out by the capitulation, forty thousand stand of arms, coming within
the description, are at the service of Major-General Brock, if his Ex-
cellency will condescend to come and take them."
The required number of men were soon in the field. Hrigiidier
General William 11. Harrison, of the United States Army, was com-
missioned as Major-General by the (iovernor of Kentni-ky. and afi-
siiined command of the army, nnmheriiijj; about ten thonsaiKl rricii.
Hbitisi] Indian Ai.ijancl:
In the wars whicb have taken place on this continent, between
rival nations, the lndi;in frilics have been engaged. The British and
the French employed them in their quarrels; and in the Revolution-
ary War, and in the War of IH12 the Indians fought on the side of
the British. History abounds with heart-rending accounts of Indian
outrage, perpetrated during the Revolution, and the recollection of
the bloody massacre of tlie last war. is yet \ivid in the remembrance
of our citizens. Xo language can convey an adequate idea of the
horrors and barbarities of Indian warfare. The Indian, from earliest
infancy, is initiated into the cruelties and tortures of exterminating
hostilities. "War to the knife — the knife to the handle," is the first
teaching he receives from the lips and example of his father and brothers.
His ambition is to use the scalping knife and tomahawk with skill and
success. Tlie scalp is more precious than the pi-isonei'. In the confiict,
he neither asks nor gives (piarter. He or his enemy nmst lie dead on
the field. Exceptions there are, it is drue. to this general practice,
but it is a most bloody and cruel mercy that stays the death-blow.
Tlic conquered victim had better, by far, fall dead beneath the arm
of his antagonist, than follow as a prisoner to the wigwam. In the
latter ease he is reserved for far more dreadful sufferings at the stake
oftentimes to be prepared to suit the cannibal tastes of his victor.
With atrocious disregard of the dictates of humanity, the liritish
government did not hesitate to enroll the murderous savages in close
alliance with their regular soldiers. They did this with the full knowl-
edge of the difficulty of restraining them, when once the fight begun,
within the recognized limits of civilized warfare. In all these mstances.
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98 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
too, the bloody instinct of the savage was referred to by their Christian
employers, to intimidate and force their enemies to surrender.
At the commencement of the war of 1812, the American government
used every possible means to induce the Indians to remain neutral and
quiet ; but the passion for war, and strong inducements offered to them
by the British Government, were too powerful to be resisted. They
were seduced by promises and costly presents, to join hands against
the United States, and led by talented and influential chiefs, they ren-
dered many and valuable services to their Christian allies.
It is not within the scope o£ this work to enumerate the frequent
and barbarous butcheries of innocent and defenceless women and chil-
dren, or the merciless and disgraceful slaughters which were permitted
by the British officers, when the fortunes of war were in their favor.
River Raisin Massacre
In January, ISlJt, the American army met with a sad reverse at
the River Raisin. This conflict is marked with incident's of horror and
barbarity, which stamp it as one entire scene of bloody butchery on
the part of the enemy, which finds no parallel in the history of war,
where either of the contending parties made any claims to civilization.
This battle is known in American history as the "Massacre at the River
Raisin" and is described in detail in this work, confirmed by official
reports, and by eye witnesses, in another chapter.
Prom a Private Viewpoint
The spirit of impatience, derision and indignation in which the dis-
graceful conduct of (len. Hull was viewed by the people everywhere,
is faintly shown in a letter written on the Canadian side by a member
of a family to another, in the village of Frenchtown. "I was about
to tell you, uncle, of Hull's cowardly surrender of Detroit. On visit-
ing Detroit some days ago, with Macy and "Walbridge, with the inten-
tion of locating some lands on the Huron and Raisin Rivers, we learned
with surprise, that hostilities had actually commenced between the United
States and Oreat Britain; and that Hull had just returned from Can-
ada with his army, where he had deliberately thrown away excellent
opportunities of conquest, for the enemy's army here was in good
shape to be attacked and cleaned out ; as he had not acted promptly
and destroyed Maiden, we expected that Brock would soon attack De-
troit, which he did. Yon know, uncle, that I have always had some
pretty strong military pre delict ions, and the moment I heard that there
was likely to be a fight within a short time in which I could par-
ticipate I resolved to attach myself as a volunteer, to the company of
Captain Wilson, with whom I had some acquantaince. Well, to be
brief, the enemy soon appeared in force, erected batteries, and demanded
the surrender of the fort, being refused, they began a bombardment,
which they continued nearly all one night, with little effect. The next
day through the sheer carelessness (or worse) of Hull, they effected a
landing and were marching np to attack us, while we (all the troops)
in glorious state of anticipation of victory, were only waiting the orders
to begin the work of thorough chastisement — when, to our utter amaze-
ment and chagrin, we were ordered to 'stack arms' and prepare to
surrender ourselves prisoners of war. And that without firing a gun !
Without one solitary dischai^e, of rifle or musket ! We did not of course
dare say much, but 'scoundrel,' 'traitor,' 'coward' were heard aften and
emphatically among the soldiers. 'Traitor or coward?' wje asked.
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HISTORY OP MONKOE COUNTY 99
'Both,' was the general reply. Just think, Uncie ot the feelings of the
brave American soldiers that never were known to show the white
feather, ' being thus basely deprived of their arms bv their own general
and surrendered t-o a foe which they could have taken by simply going
after them! "Well, the Itritisli General gave the lolvnleeri liberty to
return home, but took Hull and his regulars, to Montreal. As soon
as I could get permission to leave, I made a search for my horse, whieh
I found in possession of an orderly, who returned hira to me for a
small compensation. I bought back my rifle, mounted my horse and
here I am to give you warning of danger, for there is danger here as
Gen. Harrison with his Ohio and Kentucky riflemen and other forces
will certainly lose no time in wiping out this awful stain on the IT. S,
aviny. "
A safe prediction gallantly verified.
Canadian Comments on Hull's Surrender
The crisis in Canadian aflfairs at the time of Hull's surrender, and
the extent of the injury inflicted on the American cause by the course
of that coward or traitor is shown in comments found in Canadian
papers and in historical records. We make the following extracts il-
lustrating this fact: from "Montreal, Past and Present." "On the
12tli of July, 1812, the first hostile demonstration was made, when Gen-
eral Hull crossed the frontier at Detroit, and raised the American flag
on Canadian soil, at the same time issuing a proclamation inviting the
inhabitants of Canada to join his standard. This appeal to the people
failed in its object, and he soon learned that in General Brock he was
to find one suited in every way to punish him for his temerity in thus
venturing across the boundary line. He finally was compelled to sur-
render Detroit. Fortunate, indeed was it for Canada that a general
like Brock had been intrusted with the defense of the Province, and
not less so that he encountered so weak and impotent an enemy in Hull.
Had this been otherwise, Canada must have passed into the hands of
the United States. The effect produced on the Lower Province was great
and the arrival at Montreal of General Hull and the American regular
troops shortly after, did not fail to have a beneficial result."
Captured American Prisoners Pass Through Montreal En Route to
Quebec
The following account of the entry into the city of the captured
garrison is from the Montreal Herald of Tuesday, September 12, 1812.
"Last Sunday evening the inhabitants of the city w-ere gratified with
an exhibition equally novel and interesting. That General Hull should
have entered our city so soon at the head of his troops rather exceeded
our expectations. We were, however, happy to see him, with all the
honors due to his rank and importance as a public character. The fol-
lowing in regard to his journey and reception at Montreal may be of
interest. General Hull and suite accompanied by about, twenty-five
officers and three hundred and fifty soldiers, left Kingston under an
escort of one hundred and thirty men commanded by Jlajor Heathcote
of the Newfoundland regiment, at Cornwall, the escort was met by Capf.
Gray, of the quarter-master-general's department who took charge of
the prisoners of war, and from thence proceeded with them to Lachine.
where fhey arrived about 2 o'clock on Simday afternoon. At Lachine
Captain Richardson and Ojiloie with their companies of Montreal militia
and a company of the King's, commanded by Capt. Blackmore, formed
the escort, till they were met by Col. Auldjo, with the remainder of the
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100 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
flank companies of militia upon which Capt. Blackmore's company fell
out and presented arms, as the general and line passed, and then
returned to Lachine, leaving the prisoners of war to be guarded by the
militia alone. The line of march then proceeded to the town, in fol-
lowing order:
"1. Band of the King's Regiment.
"2. The first division of escort.
"3. General Hull in a carriage with Captain Gray. Captain Hull
and Major Shackleton followed in a second carriage and some wounded
soldiers in four others.
"4. The American oflficers.
"5. The non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
"fj. The second division of escort.
"It unfortunately proved rather late in the evening for the vast con-
course of spectator.s assembled to experience the gratification they so
anxiously looked for. This inconvenience was, however, in a great meas-
ure remedied by the illumination of the streets, through which the line
of march passed. When they arrived at the governor's house, the general
was conducted in and presented to His Excellency, Sir George Prevost.
He was received with the greatest politeness and invited to take up his
residence during his stay in Montreal. The officers were quartered at
Holmes' hotel, and the soldiers were marched to the Quebec barracks.
The general appears to be about sixty years of age, and bears his mis-
fortunes with a degree of resignation that but few men in similar cir-
cumstances are gifted with. On the morning after the 8th of September
the prisoners started for Quebec under a guard o£ militia commanded
by Major Sliackleton. General Hull was eschange<l at Montreal for
thirty British prisoners."
Hull Court M.\rti.vi.-ed
A court martial was ortlered in January, 181)!, to meet on Pehruai'v
25, ]8i:i, to try General Hull. This court was dissolved without meeting,
but a second coui't convened at Albany on the 3d of January, 1814, con-
sisting of Major General Henry Uearborn, president ; Brigadier General
Joseph Blooniflcid, Colonels Peter Little, William N. Irvine, J. R. Fen-
wick and Robert Bogardus ; and Lieutenant Colonels James House, Wil-
liam Scott, William Stewart, Samuel S. Connor, J. B. pavis and John
W. Livingston; Martin A'au Buren acting as special judge advocate,
Philip S. Parker being army jndge advocate. The trial was had on the
charges of (1) treason, (2) cowardice, and (-1) neglect of duty. He was
acquitted on the charge of ti'cason, and convicted upon the other two
charges, and the sentence of the court was that he lie shot. ThLs sen-
tence was eonnnuted by the president on the grounds of Hull's scirvices
in the army during the revolution. It is said that Hull never eviueed
the slightest feeling of chagrin at any time in regard to the whole affair
of the surrender, carrying himself with complacency and bravado, even,
showing an utter tack of appreciation of the enormity of hiscriine and the
disastrous results of it.
The British Ciiangk of Base
There is one circumstance connected with the final a«ts of consumma-
tion of the treatj', by which the British surrendered and evacuated the
posts on United States territory which plainly shows the reluctance of
"our friends the enemy" to yield up important points which they had
come to regard as permanent possessions, and the exasperatingly leis-
urely manner in which they moved in acquiescence, taking their own time
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY lOl
to leave the island of Mackinaw, with its fortifi (Nations aiid choosing a
new site on which to locate. By the signing the treaty of Ghent, on the
28th of Deeeinher, 1814, the island of Mackinaw again passed into the
possession of the United States, which made necessary the transfer of
the British garrison to some other point. Where that point should tie
was to be determined by the anxiety of the British officers in command
in America, to retain control of the passage between the upper and lower
lakes, and possibly to found another Gibraltar, whose guns should com-
pel obedience to the royal mandates; but more especially the anxiety to
retain the prestige among the Indian tribes for which they had labored
so hard and had enjoyed so long. It is a matter to be noted that the
news of the signing of the treaty, and the conse((uent close of the war,
was so long in reaching the nortinv-fstern frontier, that hostilities did not
cease in the vicinity of Mackinaw until late in the spring of 1815. The
messenger who was sent with the dispatches and orders relative to carry-
ing out of the treaty! was two months on the road from York, (now
Toronto), to Mackinaw; and rumor had ample time to convey to the post
commander the general nature of the news which he might expect to
learn officially, in due time. It was not until May 11, 1815, that Lieu-
tenant Colonel McDouall, in command at Mackinaw, received the official
dispatches, witli a copy of the treaty, and instructions for turning over
that post to the United States military authorities, and to select some
place in the same neighlwrhood which could be a point of defense and
ofEense, and there to erect temporai-j' ([uartcrs for the garrison and shelter
of the government stores, and to remove his command thither.
By these instructions MeDonall was sorely perplexed. His services
on the frontier had made liim spokesman on behalf of the king with the
Indian tribes of the whole northwest. The coimtry includet! in his com-
majid was, to use his own words, "greater in extent than the ivhole of
liower Canada;'" and from his intimate relations with the Indian tribes,
and the promises he liad held out to them, it wiemed to him that in re-
linquishing the island of Mackinac, the favorite place of resort of numer-
ous tribes, for a long period, wlio were accustomed to gather 'there from
regions as far distant as the basin of the Mississippi, and the Red River
of the North, he would be leaving them to a fate which they did not de-
serve, at the same time the British would lose the influence which they
long sought and exercised over these copper skinned allies. To him.
therefore, it seemed politic, if not alisolutely necissary, that the new post
should be so situated as to be easily accessible to the Indians, and capable
of being made of even greater strategic importance that their old loca-
tion on Mackinac Island, while it must l)e such as to ensure the respect
of the allied tribes and cause them to look with disdain upon Mackinac
as the representative of an inferior power.
Lying across the northern end of Lake Huron and separated from the
main land of the upper peninsula of Michigan by the Strait of Detour,
is an island, at the mouth of St. Mary's river, twenty by thirteen miles
in extreme length and breadth, and comprising an area of about one
hundred and twenty square miles. Its shores are lined with beautiful
harbor bays, thickly studded with small islands, whose high surfaces are
covered by a dense growth of perennial green. Streams and small
woodland lakes are numerous on the island, and the hardwood forests as
well as the "black growths" of pine and spruce add greatly to the beauty
of the landscape. On the west' side of this point is the Detour strait,
the pathway of the immense commerce of the great lakes passing through
the St, Mary's river. On the eastern side of the lower portion of the
island, called the point, is a spot which seems to have been chosen more
for its beauty than because it possessed any advantages of military strat-
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102 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
egy ; here the British flag floated for a period of thirteen years, in defiance
of the treaty of Ghent, its award of the boundary commissions there-
under, and the comity of nations. During their stay neither citizens
nor civilians seem to have been laggard in providing for their own com-
fort, apparently expecting that this was to be their permanent home.
It was not until 1828 that the evacuation of the last British post on
the great lakes was finally effected, and in the public documents or rec-
ords of the United States government concerning this matter, or any
matter pertaining to the occupancy or abandonment of Drummond
Island by the British, there is nothing to be discovered except one letter,
which follows:
"FoKT Brady, November 13, 1828.
' ' Sib : I have the honor to inform you that 1 have received a letter from
the officer commanding the British troops at Drummond island, informing
me that he had received orders from the commander of the forces to turn
over the public buildings to our government, and requesting me to send
an officer to receive them. 1 have this day sent Brevet Lieutenant
Simontxjn to receive them, with directions to employ a respectable citi-
zen to take charge of them for the present. The British troops are to
leave here by the 15th or 18th.
"With great respect,
"(Signed) D. Wilcox, Captain 5th Regiment Commanding.
' ' Colonel R. Jones, Adjutant General, Washington^ D. C. '
This proceeding appears to have closed the incident of British occu-
pation in the United States.
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CHAPTER IX
BATTLE OF MORAVIAN TOWN
Proctor Opposed by Tecumseh — Concentrate at Moravian Town —
"Remember the Raisin" — Harrison Overtakes Proctor — Ameri-
cans Break the British Line — Death op Tecumseh— A Mortifying
Defeat — Trophies and Prisoners— Result op Batti^e and Tecum-
seh's Death,
The crushing blow dealt by Commodore Perry to the British arms
in the naval battle on Lake Erie in Septembei" was followed up vigorously
by General Harrison with his army in Canada. The British and Cana-
dians realized that with the recent defeats at Sandusky and Miami, their
power was waning and that some decision was demanded in regard to
their future movements. General Harrison was massing his forces in
Ohio for an invasion of Canada and had a large force assembled, only
waiting the collection of sufficient boats to transport his troops.
Phoctor Opposed by Tecumseh
General Proetor called a council of war which the chieftains of the
various Indian tribes were summoned to attend. After a brief exposition
of the condition of affairs Proctor proposed that the forts of Detroit
and Amherstburg together with the various public buildings should be
destroyed and that the troops and Indians should retire to Niagara.
Upon this proposal there was a division of sentiment among the Indian
chiefs, but Tecumseh. who was present, whose proud and impetuous
spirit could not easily adapt itself to the idea of retiring before his ene-
mies, had no sooner heard the conclusion of the address of Proctor than
he ai'ose and began an impassioned speech, accompanying his warlike ex-
pressions with wild gesticulation protesting against the infamy of aban-
doning their position without first using every exertion for its defense.
He assailed the commanding officer in violent terms, accusing him of
cowardice; and after having compared his conduct to that of Capt.
Barclay, whose conduct he praised in the most extravagant terms. His
speech was a marvel of native eloquence and made a deep impression.
"Father," he thundered, "Listen to your children! You see them
all now before you. The war before this, our British father gave the
hatchet to his red children, when onr old chiefs were alive. They are now
dead. In that war, our father was thrown on his back by the Americans,
and our fathers took them by the hand without our knowledge and we
are afraid our fathers will do so again at this time. Summer before last
when I came forward with my red brethren and was ready to take up the
hatchet in favor of our British father, we were told not to be in a
hurry, that he had not determined to fight the Americans.
"Listen! When war was declared, our father stood up and gave us
the tomahawk, and told us he was now ready to strike the Americans —
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104 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
that he wanted our assistance; and that he would certainly get ns onr
lands back, which the Americans had taken from us.
"Listen! You told us that time to bring forward our families
to this place. We did so, and you promised to take care of them, that
they should want for nothing, while the men would go out and fight the
enemy — that we were not to trouble ourselves with the enemy's garri-
sons, that we knew nothing about them, and that our father would
iittend to that part of the business. You also told your red children that
you woukl take good care of their garrison here — which made our hearts
glad.
"Listen ! Father, listen ! Our fleet has gone out ; we know they have
fought; we have heard the noise of the great guns, but we know nothing
of what has happened to our father with one arm (alluding to Captain
Barclay at the battle of Lake Erie, who lost an arm while serving under
Nelson at Trafalgar), Our ships have gone one way and we are mneh
astonished to see our father here, tying up everything and preparing
to run away the other, without letting his red children know i^hat ha,
intentions are. You always told us to remain here and take care of oui
lands; it made our hearts glad to hear that this was your wisli Our
great father, the King, is the head and you represent him. You always
told us you would not draw our feet off British ground ; but now, father,
we see you arc drawing back, and we are sorry to see our father doing
this without meeting the enemy. We must compare our father's conduct
to a fat animal that carries its tail upon his hack, but when it is fright-
ened, drops it between his legs and runs away.
"Listen, father! The Americans have not yet defeated us by land:
neither are we sure that they have done so by water, we therefore wish
to remain here and fight nur enemy should they make their appearance-
Tf they defeat us, we will then retreat with our father. At the battle of
the Rapids, last war, the -Amerieans certainly defeated us; and when we
retreated to our father's fort at that place, the gates were shut against
us. We are afraid that it would now lie the case; but instead of that
now, we see our British father preparing to march out of his gai'rison.
"Father! You have got the arms and ammunition which our great
father, the King, sent for his red children. If you have any idea of
going aivay, give them to us, and you may go your way. in welcome, for
us. Our lives are in the hands of the great spirit; we are determined
to defend 0\ir lands, and if it is his will, we wish to leave our bones \\\mn
Indians Sl'I-i'okt the OitE-iT Chief ■
No sooner had this startling speech ended, than all the chiefs present
started up to a man, brandishing their tomahawks in the most mena-
cing manner, vociferated their full approval of his words. The scene was
most imposing and dramatic ; the council room where the conference took
place was a large building with a lofty vaulted roof, which echoed
back the wild yells of the savages; while the threatening attitude and
characteristic costumes of the Indians formed a striking contrast to the
calm demeanor and military dress of the officers grouped around the
walls. It is easy to imagine, however, that tlie prominent and attractive
figure in the picture was Tecumseh himself; his tall, powerful and
graceful form, his athletic proportions, admirably set forth by his close-
fitting buckskin dress, richly ornamented, while a head dress of a large
white ostrich feather rested upon his brow, offering a striking contrast
with the deep copper color of his skin, and the raven black hair, his
features illuminated by tbe brilliancy of his piercing black eyes — all
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 105
foriJiiiiLf a singularly wild and imposing bibloau. He whs ii wondoi't'ul
.man. and it wjis not difficult to imagine that lie eould lie terrilile.
('(»\CE\'TRATE AT .MuKAVl.W TUWX
Some degrett of ([uicf being restored, (Jeneral I'roetor, through Ihe
nicditim of his iiitcrpi'ct<.T8, explained the motives whieh inllueneed iiim
in his dedsion and finally succeeded in prevailing upon the chiefs to
consider a seeond proposal, ivhicli was to retire to the .Moravian village
aJ)out half ivay between Amlierstburg and the outposts of the center
division of the liritisli army, and there await the approaeh of the
Americans, The troops were irmnediately set at work, destroying the
fortifications and burning such of the stores as eould not be removed
with eonveuienee. The destruction of the buildings consumed consid-
erable time and when the work was tiiiishe<l the forts of Detroit and
Amherstburg presented a scene of niin and desolation.
Karly in the last week of September the troops of tlie two garrisons
proceeded up the River Thames, a stream navigable for small craft,
and emptying into Lake St. Clair, The liridge near Andierstburg, hav-
ing been destroyed by I'roetor 's rear guard on their retreat, was speedil,^-
repaired by the I'. S. tniops, who had crossed the lake in boats after the
Lake Erie victory, at Put-in-i!ay, and were now hasteniiis' after the
"Khmembku Till-: Raisin''
They were iivei'taken on Ihe tirfit ol' Oi'tober, (len. Harrison iiai'iii;;'
assigned to Colonel Lewis Cass the charge of the troops at theii- debai'k-
ation from the vessels. He formed the troops into line for the march,
and issued a general order which clesed with the memorable words:
"Kentuckians. remember the River Kaisin: but remeiTd>er only when
victory is suspended. The revenge of a soldier cannot be gratifed ni>on
a fallen enemy." This intensely significant sentiment was immediately
taken up by the Kentucky and Ohio troops and formed the battle cry
"Remember the Raisin." On crowded ships; on hostile shore, on the
line of march, in camp after the clash of arms, men whispered or shouted.
"Remember the Raisin:'" at the outset of every encounter the sharp.
(|nick cry "Remember the Raisin" spurred the men on lo victory.
Certaijily it was but hnman that these brave patriotic men. drawn from
the flower of Kentucky "s chivalry, of all ranks, should have been inspired
lo the utmost by the remembrances of that fatal day at Frenehtown, when
blood was ponred out in the carnage permitted or eneountged by men
and officers, from whom every impulse of humanity onr soldierly honor
seem to have deported. Who can blame them for harboring feelings of
animosity towards an enemy so destitute of the simplest forms of mercy
and human consideration for their unfortunate victims? AVho allowed.
without a protest, the most barbarous atrocities to he perpetrated by their
monstrous savage allies, thirsting for blood:?
General Harrison's army was cpiite destitute of means of pursuing,
expediently, the retreating enemy. Proctor had stripped the country
of provisions and stores, and collected upwards of one thousand horses
for the use of his flying army. The only horse in our army at that time
and on that march was a small French pon.y which was placed at the
service of the venerable Governor Shelh.v of Kentucky, who was then
sixty-five years of age, but as full of military ardor, and the laudable
desire for administering retributive justice on the cowardly Proctor and
his men, as any of the young officers about him.
The sudden flight, betraying cowardice in Proctor, served in a measure
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106 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
to alienate his Indian allies. Tecumseh and other warriors were furious
that no resistance was to be offered or attempted. In his own behalf
and of all the chiefs and warriors Tecumseh addressed a "talk" to
Proctor, in which he used plain language to express his displeasure at
the treatment they had received,
Harrison Overtakes Proctor
By forced marches, diversified by skirmishes with scattered parties of
the enemy's force. Gen. Harrison overtook Proctor near the Moravian
town on the river Thames, eighty miles northeast from the Detroit river.
On the evening of the fifth of October he forced the enemy to a fight,
which was a fierce one though not of long duration, resulting in a com-
plete-victory. The road by which the Moravian Town was reached ran
part way through a dense beech forest, along the bank of the little river
distant from it but a few hundred yards, the ground intervening being
high and dry. Across the strip of land the British and Indian force
was drawn up when General Harrison reached them. The American
army was then formed for attack. General Trotter's brigade formed
the front line, his right upon the road, his left upon the swamp. Gen-
eral King's brigade as a second line, one hundred and fifty yards in the
rear of Trotter's, with Child's brigade as a reserve corps in the rear of
both. The three brigades were commanded by Major General King.
The whole of General Deeha's division of two brigades was formed upon
the left of Trotter. Colonel Johnson's regiment of mounted men were
drawn up in close column, its right resting near the road, its left upon
the swamp. The duty of this regiment was to charge upon the enemy
at a sharp gallop, to be followed by the infantry charge with the bayonet.
This was a new manceuvre in military tactics suggested by the exigency
of the occasion and was successful in every way. The few regulars of
the Twenty-seventh Regiment under Colonel Paul! occupied in columns
of four the small space between the road and the river for the purpose
of seizing the enemy's artillery. The crocket, formed by the front line,
and General Desha 's division was an important formation. At this spot
Governor Shelby was posted, while General Harrison with his aids,
General Cass, Commodore Perry and Captain Bntler, took station at
the head of the front line of infantry.
Americans BRE,iK the British T»sne
The army moved in this order a short distance when the mounted
men received the British fire, and were ordered to charge. The contest
in front was over in two minutes, the enemy were unable to reform their
disordered ranks, and our mounted men, under Colonel R. M. Johnson,
charging upon them with destructive effect, they soon surrendered.
De.*.th op Tecumseh
The contest on the left was more severe and of longer duration.
Colonel Joimson there engaged with the Indians, who poured upon his
command a galling fire, which he returned with great damage to his
opponents. A part of the Indian force advanced and attacked our front
line of infantry near its junction with Desha's division. They made a
temporary impression, but as soon as Governor Shelby came up with
a regiment and the enemy being fired upon both in front and rear, they
made a precipitate retreat, losing a large number in killed. Colonel
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 107
Johnson was severely wounded in this engagement, dnriiii; wiiieh he
came into close personal eomhat with the famous Sliawnee warrior and
chief, Teeuniseh, when the shot came that disabled the colonel, lie was
in the act of springing upon him with his tomahawk when his adversary-
drew a pistol from his belt and shot him dead on the spot.
It has since been the matter of controversy at various times whose
really was the distinction of having killed Tecumseh and it was eon-
tended that it could not he actually proved, but it has been established
beyond any cavil that the great chief fell before Colonel R. M. Johnson.
"On the night after the engagement," says a writer who was with Proc-
tor at the Thames, one of his officers, "while we were seated around a
fire in the forest, partaking on the very battle ground of the meat which
tjeneral Harrison's aids-de-eamp were generously and hospitably toast-
ing for us on long pointed sticks or skewers and which, half famished
as we were, we greedily ate without the accompaniment of either salt or
bread, the painful subject was discussed and it is not less an eulogy to
the high-minded Tecumseh than a justice to Oeneral Harrison to say
that that officer was the veiy first to deplore his death ; while the senti-
ments he expressed when the circumstances and manner of his death
were made kiiown were such as to reflect credit on himself as a man, a
Christian and a soldier." The news could not be believed that Tecumseh
was really dead as reported, but that the body was that of another chief ;
and several oiBcers of the Forty-first Regiment, io order to determine
the matter for themselves visited the spot where Tecumseh lay and there
they identified the body before them as that of the late powerful and
intelligent chieftain, for they all knew hiiu very well and therefore
there was no possibility of being mistaken."
A MOSTIFYING DK^EAT
The loss of this battle, while it was not a great affair in a military
sense, was the source of great mortification to the British and General
Proctor was severely criticised and censured by the soldiers and officers
for incompetency and indifference. It was charged openly that his dis-
position of his forces for the attack from the enemy was ridiculous and
that it was made particularly with reference to covering the removal
of his family and his effects from the town.
The number of men in his command was estimated by General Har-
rison at about or over two thousand. It is certain that just before Proc-
tor fled from Maiden he had then at least three thousand Indians, but
great numbers left him in disgust with his pusillanimity ; not many Brit-
ish officers were killed, but the white prisoners captured numbered about
six hundred. The slaughter among the Indians was great, exceeding
all others. Lieutenant Richard Bullock of the Forty-first Grenadiers
reported in his regiment three sergeants and nine rank and file killed
and fifty total wounded.
In preparing to leave the rendezvous at Put-in-Bay for the invasion
of Canada, Harrison's army was delayed some days. It is said by cer-
tain persons in Canada that Harrison made an attempt to land in Col-
chester township, but was prevented from doing so by John Naudel, the
Chippewa chief, and his Indians.
There is a tradition that a few horses of the Americans were stam-
peded and captured by the Canadians and Indians. Among them was
a fine Arabian stallion which was hidden by one Drouillard until the
war was over. Many of the horses in the neighborhood showed the Arab
strain and tradition points to this stallion as their progenitor.
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108 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Troi'hies and Prisonerh
Among the trophies o£ tliis Thames victory there were taken a num-
ber of field pieces and several thousand stand of small arms ; most of the
latter and two of the former were those taken from General Hull. Ex-
eepting one standard, all the emblems of conquest acquired during the
eanipaign by the British were here.
Among the prisoners captured were all the superior officers of the
British forces except (jeneral Proctor, He made his escape by the fleet-
ness of his horse. General Cass was prominent among those who were
distinguished for personal bravery and received commendation from
the commanding general, especially rendering important service in form-
ing line of battle rendered very different by the nature of the ground.
Woods, marshes and streams surrounded them, requiring all the knowl-
edge and discretion of a military veteran, which Cass possessed in an
eminent degree. He led the cliase after the flying Proctor who had fled
very soon after the firing commenced. He was not able to overtake this
valiant officer, but was obliged to be content with the capture of his
carriage, baggage and all his papers relating to tlic operations of his
department.
Result <w Battle and TjcciMf^Eii's 1)kati[
General Harrison 's official account of this battle does ample justice to
the brave men and officers wlio participated in it. "Having no com-
mand himself," says General Harrison, "'he tendered me his assistance
I have already stated that General Cass and Commodore Perry assisted
me in forming the troops for action. The former was an officer of the
highest merit and the appearance of the brave young commodore fi'csh
from his recent victory cheered and animated every heart."
The enemy was now driven from the northwestern frontier. Soon
after the battle an armistice was concluded with the hostile Indians and
General Harrison sailed down the lake to Buffalo with about thirteen
hundred troops. General Cass was left in command at Detroit. No
military movement of note occurred during the winter of 1813-14, The
Indians having lost tlieir great leader, Tecumseh, were generally dis-
posed to remain quiet and seek an alliance with our people.
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CHAPTEU X
THE BATTLE OK LAKE ERIE
A Viiiw FEUM "The Other Side" — IIkitish Elau Shh' Oi-enk Uattlk —
Ceh'I'led British Fleet— Ekom Perry's OfpiciaIj Bei'ort — Pehky's
Squadron in Action — Barclay's Squadron in Action.
[From Ricliardsoii"s "War of 3813"]
The period was now fast approat;lnug wlieii the fruits of so much toil
and privation weve to be wrested from our grasp, and the extensive line
of territory, both original and acijuired, so gallantly defended by a single
regiment against the repeated invasions of the enemy, for a period of
fifteen months, was to fall beneath the efforts of nnmerieal strength.
Since the capture of '"Detroit" the Americans had been indefatigable in
their exertions to establish a stiperioritj' of naval foree on which they well
knew depended the ultimate success of their arnw. Buffalo was the bar-
bor selected for the construction of their flotilla, though five vessels of
Perry's fleet were built at Erie harlmr. Work was pushed i-apidly and
these liarboi'H soon presented a fnniiidabte i\p|icarance.
A \]\i\\- Froji "'TrjE Otiikr Sie>i::"
-Manned by experienced seamen taken Troui Si'veral frigates there
blockaded in tlieir seaports, and commanded by able and experienced
officers, these vessels put out toward the close of August, and continued
cmisiiig off the harI>or of Arnheitstburg, in \vhich our fleet lay, awaiting
the completion of the "Detroit,"' a vessel of twenty guns, then on the
stocks, and the arrival of tJie seamen, long promised and vainly expected
from Lake Ontario. Captain Barclay had arrived some time previous Id
take the command, and with him several officers and forty men; Init
notwithstanding evei-j- i-emonstranee on the subject made hy the eom-
itiaiiding officers of tbe division, no further assistance was afforded. The
reumining part of the crews were provincial sailoi-s willing and anxious
to do their duty, but without that perfectitui and experience iji their pro-
fession ^vhicJi are so indispensably necessary to the success in a combat
at sea. In defiance of this disadvantage, the enemy no sooner appeared,
fiiau the "])eti'oit" was launched in her unfinished state, and armed,
in <lefaidt of other guns, with long battering pieces taken from tbe ram-
parts. Evei-y calibre was used, sixes, nines, twelves, eighteens and even
Ihe two twenty-four pounders which bad been used at the "Miami."
Our position at this period was getting very critical, the want of pro-
visions, severely felt, and the ultimate possession of the garrison, de-
pended wholly on the result of the impending naval conflict, for whieli
both parties were preparing. In the event of tbe enemy being successful,
not only must we be open to the incursions of the large forcra then eol-
leeled in several (|uarters. and ready to overwhelm ns at tbe moment that
109
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no HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
the coiniiiand of the lake would afford them facility &f laovement, but tlie
meajis of obtaining supplies from Fort Erie must be entirely cut off. The
quantity of provisions already consumed had been enormous, for, inde-
pendently of the wanton destruction of cattle by the Indians, who often
shot them for the sake of obtaining their liorns, in which they carried
their powder, leaving the carcasses to putrify in the sun, ten thousand
rations were daily issued to the warriors and their families; the latter
apparently increasing in numbers as our means of supplying them be-
came more difficult.
British Flag Shu' Opens Battle
Such was the situation of the garrison, reduced in its regular force to
a handful of men, when Captain Barclay, who had hoisted the flag on
board the "Detroit," made the signal early on the morning of September
9th to weigh anchor and bear across the lake. The little fleet consisting
of six sails were, at daylight on the 10th, perceived by the enemy, the:!
lying among a cluster of islands at some leagues distance, who immedi-
ately bore up under a slight side wind, favorable at that moment for the
approach of the two squadrons. At noon, (Barclay fixes the time at
11:45) the engagement commenced; the "Detroit" leading into action
was opposed by the "Lawrence," mounting eighteen thirty-two pounders,
and commanded by the American commodore ; such was the effect of the
long guns that the latter vessel was soon compelled to strike her flag,
having only twenty serviceable men left. (Perry places the number at
eight>) The "Detroit" and "Queen Charlotte" had, however, suffered
severely in their sails and rigging from the fire of the enemy's gun-
boats; and not only were every one of their boats so severely damaged
as to render it impossible to take possession of the prize, but the united
and unceasing exertion of their crews could not prevent their running
foul of each other. Availing himself of this unfortunate accident.
Commodore Perry, who had shifted his flag to the "Niagara," a vessel
of equal force with the "Lawrence," bore up and discharged his broad-
side with murderous effect. Coming closer immediately, a second equally
destructive fire was delivered, and in this manner was the action con-
tinued, rendering resistance almost hopeless. The smaller vessels, al-
ready warmly engaged, could afford no aid, and the guns of the unfortu-
nate wrecks were at length nearly all unserviceable, — those at least,
of the only batteries that could be brought to bear on the enemy. Al-
most every officer was compelled to leave the deck, and the helplessne^ of
the crews could only be exceeded by their despair ; when after two hours
and a half of incessant cannonading, the British flag was replaced by the
American ensign.
Crippled British Fleet
The anxiety with which the i.ssue of the combat was awaited at Am-
herstbnrg, where the flring was distinctly hestrd, may easily be con-
ceived. Prom the heights overlooking the lake, and nearly opposite to
the islands, the first encounter of the fleets was clearly observed, but the
heavy columns of smoke in which they were speedily enveloped, shut out
the scene altogether, nor was it until the thunder of the artillery had been
some time discontinued, that the clouds of vapour drifting away revealed
the melancholy picture of our vessels, crippled and dismasted, following
in the wake of the Am.eriean fleet, then directing its course towards the
bay of Sandusky.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 111
Thus closed one of the most remarkable naval battles of our navy, or
of any navy. It was a victory won on e(|ual terms, by our sailors under
the gallant young Perry that reflected the highest credit upon the skill
and bravery of our seamen, and was fraught with the deepest concern to
both sides, for it virtually brought to an end the War of 1812.
Theodore Roosevelt's "The Naval War of 1812" is often referred
to as a most fair description of this engagement and estimate of its re-
sults. The reader will be no donbt interested in Colonel Roosevelt's
narrative, to which he is respectfully referred ; yet the official report of
Captain Perry itself will be found a perfectly accurate and conclusive
document written with modesty and bristling with the spirit of a truth-
ful, generous victor.
[From Perry's Official Beporl]
"U. S. Schooner Ariel, Put-in-Bay, September lli, 1813.
"Sir: in my last, I informed you that we had captured the enemy's
fleet on this lake. I have now the honor to give you the most important
particulars of the action. On the morning of the 10th instant, at sunrise,
they were discovered from Put-in-Bay, where I lay at anchor with my
squadron under my command. We got under way, the wind light at
southwest, and stood for them. At 10 A. M., the wind hauled to southeast
and brought us to windward ; formed the line and bore up. At fifteen
minutes before twelve, the enemy began firing; at five minutes before
twelve the action commenced on our part. Finding the fire very de-
structive, owing to their long guns, and it being aimed mostly at the
'Lawrence,' I made sail and directed the other vessels to follow, for the
purpose of closing with the enemy — every brace and bow-line being shot
away, she became unmanageable, notwithstanding the great exertions
of the sailing master. In this situation, she sustained the action upwards
of two hours, within canister distance until every gun was rendered use-
less, and the greater part of the crew either killed or wounded. Find-
ing she could no longer annoy the enemy, I left her in charge of Lieuten-
ant Yamall, who, I was convinced, from the bravery already displayed
by him, would do what would comport with the honor of the flag. At
half past two, the wind springing up, Captain Elliott was enaliled to
bring his vessel, the 'Niagara,' gallantly into close action. I imme-
diately went on board of her, when he anticipated my wish, by volun-
teering to bring the schooner, which had been kept astern by the light-
ness of the wind, into close action. It was with unspeakable pain that
I saw soon after 1 got on board the 'Niagara.' the flag of the 'Law-
rence' come down, although I was perfectly sensible that she had been
defended to the last, and that to have continued to make a show of resist-
ance would have been a wanton sacrifice of the remains of her brave
crew. But the enemy was not able to take possession of her and circum-
stances soon permitted her flag again to be hoisted. At forty-five min-
utes past two, the signal was made for 'close action,' for the 'Niag-
ara,' being very little injured, I determined to pass through the enemy's
lines. — bore xtp and passed aliead of their two ships and a brig, giving
a raking fire to them from the starboard gnns, and to a large schooner
and sloop from the larboard side, at half pistol shot distance. The
smaller vessels, at this time having got within grape and canister dis-
tance under the direction of Captain Elliott and keeping up a well di-
rected fire, the two ships, a brig and a schooner, surrendered, a schooner
or sloop making a vain attempt to escape. * * * i have the honor
to enclose you a return of the killed and wounded, together with a state-
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112 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
ment of the relative force of the two squadrons. The captain and first
lieutenant of the 'Queen Oliariotte' and first lieutenant of the 'De-
troit' were killed; Captain Barclay, senior oificer, and the commander
of the 'Lady Prevost' severely wounded. Their loss in killed and
wounded I have not been able to ascertain ; it must, however, have been
very great. I have caused the prisoners taken on the tenth instant,
to be landed at Sandusky, and have requested General Harrison to have
thera marched to Chillicotlie, and there wait until your pleasure shall
be made known concerning them. The 'Lawrence' has been so en-
tirely cut up, it is absolutely necessary that she should go into safe
harbor. I have, therefore, directed Lieutenant Yarnall to proceed tu
Erie in her, with the wounded of the fleet, and dismantle her and get
her over the bar, as soon as possible. The two ships in a heavy sea, at
anchor lost their masts being much injured in the late action. I shall
haul them into the inner liay at this place, and moor them for the pres-
ent. The 'Detroit' is a remarkably fine ship, sails well and is strongly
built. The 'Queen Charlotte' is a much superior vessel to what has
i>een represented. The 'Lady Prevost' is a large, fine schooner. I
also beg your instructions respecting the wounded. I am satisfied,
sir, that whatever steps are taken governed by humanity would irieet
your approliation. Under this impression, I have taken upon myself
to promise Captain Harelay, who is very dangerously wounded, that he
shall be landed as near Lake Ontario as possible; and 1 had no doubt
you would permit me to parole him ; he is under the impression that
nothing but leaving this part of the country will save his life. There
are also many Canadians among the prisoners who have families.
'■ I have the himor eti-.
^■0. II. PERitr.
' ' Hon. W. Jones. Secfctary of Navy, ' '
At the time of the battle of Lake Erie, neither Periy nor iJarclay
wcre commo<lor('S, but captains. Perry's I'umtiiisKioii as i^oiumodore was
dated September 10th. the dati' of his victory. Tlie commodore of the
Americans was Isaac ('hauneev, and of the Jiritish. Sir James Lucas
Veo.
The return made bv P,
as follows:
e the iiumbet' of liis killed and wounded
Lawrence '22 fil H;i
Niagara 2 25 27
Caledonia 0 :i '■]
Somers (I 2 2
Ariel 1 :i 4
Trippe (J 2 2
Scorpion 2 d 2
Total 27 !lfi ]2;i
Tiiere were numerous instances of great pei'soiial bravery and skill
during this terrific engagement. Captain Perry left the disabled "Law-
rence" in an open boat to take command of the sijuadron from the "Ni-
agara," and during this perilous passage the enemy delivered no less
than three broadsides fired at him, but he escaped unhurt. Lieutcji-
ants Farnell and Elliott exhibited the most daring eonrage and
handled their ships with admirable skill.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
The laconic despatch of Perry, after the battle is bound to live as
long as the English language is read : "We have met the enemy and they
Perry's Squadron in Action
I.awreiice, 0. H. Perry 480 136 300
Niagara, J. D. Elliott 480 155 300
Caledonia, Tomer 180 r>3 80
Ariel, Packet 112 36 48
Soiners, Alney 94 30 56
Scorpion, Champlain 86 35 56
Porcupine, Lendt . . ■ 83 25 32
Tigress, Conklin !)6 27 32
Trippe, Smith 60 35 24
1671 532 028
Barclay's Squadron in Action
12 18 32
Detroit 4!10 150 138
Queen Charlotte 400 126 192
Lady Prevost 230 86 78
Hunter 80 45 28
Little B(!lt 90 21
riiil)pcway 70 !)
1360 440 466
[2 24 1 24
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CHAPTER XL
STABLE GOVERNMEXT
Lewis Cass and His Responsibilities — British and Indian Aggres-
sions Checked — More People Wanted — American -Land System
Established — Me-vns op Transportation Improved — Horkek Suc-
ceeds Stevens as Uoveknob — ■ Representative Government Voted
DOWN^EXTINGIJISHMENT OP JnDIAN TiTLE ThE CaSS InDIAN EX-
PEDITION— Territorial and State Seals and JIottoeb
In October, 1813, President Madison tendered the appointment of
governor of the territory of Michigan to General Lewis Cass, in recog-
nition of his signal and distinguished services to his country in time of
its great need. This appointment was not sought t)y General Cass, and
he was reluctant to assume the extremely onerous duties of the office by
accepting it. The appointment, when it was learned by the people of this
remote territory, excited the greatest enthusiasm among all classes. For
they realized that there was no man who could he su^ested who pos-
sessed the qualifications for this difficult post that was so acceptable, as
tlie man whom they had learned, during his campaigns among them, to
respect and admire for his soldierly frankness and bravery, his prompt-
ness and discretion in the hours of emergency, his courteous iind friendly
manners which had won their confidence and iove.
Lewis Cass, 'and His Responsibilities
The responsibilities which Governor Cass now assumed were of the
most trying and arduous character. Located in a remote frontier, sur-
rounded by thousands of warlike savages, whose friendship, even if prom-
ised, could not be relied upon, the inhabitants were in constant fear of
hostile attacks from them. For two years subsequent to his assuming
the government of the territory there were frequent outbreaks of hostil-
ities by the savages, arising from their inordinate and unconquerable
propensity to rob, plunder and murder the defenceless. To prevent
serious consequences resulting from these outbreaks required the con-
tinual watchfulness, diplomacy and tact on the part of the governor.
The war had scattered the people, and the population was much reduced.
It was not until peace was finally declared that the country began to be
relieved from the ravages of the hostile Indians. While most of them had
made peace and behaved reasonably well, the Saginaw band of Kish-
kaukon was very troublesome. Murders and outrages were committed
in the immediate neighborhood of Detroit, and even within its corporate
limits. The country south, as far as Frenchtown on the River Raisin
was not free from the incursions of bodies of these roving bands.
General Cass acted in these emergencies with great energy and
promptitude, and often went out in person with the volunteers to chas-
tise the marauders. After the failure of the Mackinaw expedition,
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 115
no further attempt was made in that quarter, till the treaty of peace.
Fort Gratiot, built at the place oiiee occupied by Fort St. Joseph in the
seventeenth century, was intended to control the passage to and from
Lake Huron, for which its location at the foot of the lake and at the
northern extremity of the river St. Clair was admirably adapted, it was
through this passage that the northern Indians generally travelled in
their canoes.
The treaty of peace with Great Britain did not put an immediate end
to the bad feeling between the people of the two countries. This stipu-
lated an immediate restoration of all places captured, with all papers
public and private, and for determining by commissioners the boundary
line in those waters where the position of islands and other ditfieulties
made it doubtful, and pledged each government to pbice the Indians
where they were in 1811.
Bkitish and IxniAN Aggressions Checked
The British officers near Detroit paid no attention to the boundary
lines, but pursued deserters into the United States, and even undertook
to assert jurisdiction over American citizens in Grosse Isle and in Amer-
ican waters. An Indian was killed at Grosse Isle in the act of attempting
to murder an American, and the commanding officer at Maiden, Colonel
James directed an inquest, and offered a reward for the person who killed
him. Governor Cass at once issued a proclamation enjoining the proper
assertion and protection of American jurisdiction. Colonel Butler,
commanding at Detroit, had also occasion to hold a sharp correspondence
with Colonel James concerning various and frequent infractions of
right. In addition to other grievances, it was understood that Mack-
inaw was not likely to be surrendered, and that the Indians meant to
hold it, which meant, probably, that the fur traders intended to hold it.
Maiden was retained until such arrangements were made as ensured the
delivery of Mackinaw.
On the first of July, 1875, Maiden was turned over to the British,
and an American force sailed for Mackinac and took possession. The
distance from their headquarters, or some other cause, rendered the
British officers in this region extremely insolent, and for a year or two
there were continued aggressions. The intrigues with the Indians were
kept up, both about Detroit and in the north and American territory
was used, in that region for purposes very unfriendly to the United
States. The trading companies paid no heed whatever to law or inter-
national obligations. It was not until two Indians were hung for murder
at Detroit, instead of being as usual dispatched in more summary fash-
ion, that a full check was put to their outrages in that direction and
neighborhood.
More People Wanted
The first crying need of the country was now for more people. No
lands had been surveyed before the war, except the old private claims.
In 1812, among other war legislation an act was passed setting aside
two millions of acres of land in Michigan as county lands for soldiers.
As soon as the war was over, and circumstances permitted, Mr. Tiffin,
the surveyor general, sent agents to Michigan to select a place for locat-
ing these lands. Their report was such as to induce him to recommend
the transfer of county locations to some other part of the United States.
They began on the boundary line between Ohio and Indiana, which
was the western limit of the lands surrendered to the United States
by the Indian treaty of 1807, and following it north for fifty miles, they
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116 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
described the country as an unbroken series of tamarack swamps, bogs
and sand barrens, with not more than one acre in a hundred and prob-
ably not more tliaii one in a thousand fit for cultivation. Mr. Tiffin
communicated this evil report to the commissioner of the general land
office, Mr. Josiah Meigs, and he and the Secretary of War, Mr. Craw-
ford, secured the repeal of so much of the law as applied to the territory
• of Michigan. They were stimulated by a second report of the surveyors,
who found the country worse and worse as they proceeded. In April,
1816, the law was changed and lands were granted in Illinois and Mis-
souri. This was a blessing in disguise, for, while it postponed settlements
in Michigan for some time, it saved the state from one of the most
troublesome sources of litigation which has ever vexed any country.
But the report of the surveyors is one of the unaccountable things
of those days, and it can only be attributed to the proceeding along the
same lines of action used in other instances of our territorial and state
experiences, where it has been discovered that surveyors made imaginary
sketches of large tracts, and returned them as actual surveys, when, as
a matter of fact, they had never been anywhere near them. That trick,
however, was of later invention. In our case, it may have been that
the surveyors did not desire to run the lines which bordered on the
Pottaivatamie country for fear of losing their scalps. But the country
was not unknown. It had been traversed frequently by hunters and
trappers and it was not many years before that it was frequented by
l)ufEaloes in great numbers as well as by almost every fur-bearing ani-
mal indigenous to this latitude. The fact, too, that Michigan contained
so many Indians was fair proof that the lands were good, for they
seldom congregate in districts where the land is poor.
American Land System Established
It has been already observed that during the administration of Gov-
ernor Hull, there were no counties laid out; the divisions being all into
districts. General Cass, who had much clearer notions about popular in-
stitutions, began early to establish the ordinary American divisions.
Wayne county as originally laid out in the northwestern territory was
not exactlj' coincident with Michigan territory even in its diminished
proportions, but a single county, covering the same geographical extent
with an entire state or territory would appear to be an anomaly, and
a county split up into several supreme judicial districts would be still
more anomalous. Assuming that the surveys would be made, and the
county lands located. Governor Cass began the county system, by lay-
ing out that part of the territory in which the Indian title had been ,
extinguished, into Wayne county, with its seat of justice at Detroit. At
the same time he divided the whole territory into road districts co-inci-
dent with the several militia districts, which were already defined. No
provision had yet been made for establishing townships, and until the
people became indoctrinated with ideas of self government, which the
ordinance had not assumed as one of their early prerogatives, there was
no place for these small republics.
In 1812, Congress had directed the President to have the northern
boundary of Ohio surveyed in accordance with the law authorizing that
state to form its constitution, and to cause to be made a plat or plan
of so much of the boundary line as runs from the southerly extreme of
Lake Michigan, to Lake Brie, particularly noting the place where the
said line intersects the margin of said lake. The war interrupted this
and it was not surveyed until some years thereafter. Meanwhile Indi-
ana had obtained a population large enough to entitle it to admission
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 117
into the Union. On the 19tli of April, 1816, the people of that territory
were authorized to form a state; and its boundaries, instead of being
left as they were when Michigan was set ott', were fixed on the north by
an east and west line ten miles north of the southern point of Lake
Michigan, thus taking a strip ten miles wide off from the southern por-
tion of Michigan territory. As Michigan then had no representatives in
Congress and as there was no public journal in the territory, this en-
croachment into Michigan's domain, necessarily remained for future
settlement. The state (Indiana) was admitted December 11, 1816. On
the 8th of April, 1818, Illinois was authorized to form a constitution,
and its boundary was continued northward, beyond that of Indiana to
latitude 42° 30', to that extent *curtailing the future state of Wisconsin.
Illinois was admitted on the third day of December, 1818. All of the old
northwest territory north of Indiana and Illinois was from that time
made a part of the territory of Michigan.
Means of TR.\xsi'(jR'r\TioN Improved
The territory was now in a very fair way to enjoy peace and pros-
perity. There were very few roads as yet, and facilities for land
travel did not abound for many years. Yet the business of Detroit was
flourishing, the little community of Frenchtown was receiving additions
to its population, and the country hereabouts, in spite of the damaging
reports of the government surveyors was gaining in the good opinion of
prospectors and new settlers. Their letters to friends in the east, too,
encouraged a small emigration. Sometimes their expectations were
not fully realized, owing, perhaps, to the exaggeration of conditions in
the letters of enthusiastic writers and who were led to expect a land
literally flowing with milk and honey. The lakes were but little navi-
gated, and all travellers by water were obliged to take advantage of
occasional schooners of small capacity and with no provisions for the
comfort or convenience of passengers. Nevertheless the sums leceived
in 1817 for transportation of passengers over Lake Erie to Detroit
amounted to about $15,000 which, under all the circumstances indicated
an encouraging business. The military road had been hnished about
ten miles beyond Monroe, and some travel came over that In 1818 the
exports of fish and cider reached $60,000.
The ponies which abounded in the woods, were quite serviceable for
traveling through the country over the trails. These exceedingly tough
and sagacious animals ran at large on the openings and prairies, and
droves of them, branded M'ith the name of some owner, or reputed owner,
were to be met with frequently near the settlements. When the seasons
were dry they would come to the streams for water in large troops,
often galloping through the streets of Monroe with a tremendous clatter
of hoofs upon the hard roads, during hours when the temptations of a salt
barrel left exposed in front of a grocery overcame their prudence, and
led to freer indulgence in the luxury than was agreeable or profitable
to the owner.
When on a journey, in numbers, they were usually tied in groups
of two or four together, and at night fettered, when the bell which
each one wore was freed from the straw that had bound the clapper
through the day. They rarely strayed far from a camp, perhaps their
fear of prowling wolves or other predatory animals kept them near to
human society for protection. They usually lived upon what they
could pick up, and did not appear to care whether the fare was good,
bad or indifferent so long as there was enough of it. They were re-
markably free from the diseases which attack animals more tenderly
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118 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
reared and eared for. They made most excellent pack horses — hardy,
tractable and enduring.
In March, 1818, shoes and other supplies were sent up from Detroit
to Green Bay for the troops by pack-ponies. That town had been
garrisoned in September, 1817, and the American jurisdiction had
never before been exercised effectually unless by Judge Reaumc, whose
authority seems to have belonged to universal jurisprudence. The use
of pack animals instead of vessels, shows the limited extent of water
transportation. The abundance of horses, and the small expense of
their maintenance made this less costly than might be supposed. The
winter carriage in the upper country was for many years done by means
of dogs, and people were very expert in devising contrivances for their
animals. When the government removed the Indians west of the Mis-
sissippi river, it was done generally by contract, and one of the French
merchants in Monroe secured a part of this contract; he purchased
every pony or vagrant horse in that part of the country, amounting
to hundreds, and the Indians were thus sent forward in this, to them,
familiar mode of travel.
Horner Succeeds Mason as (jOVErnor
The activity and neal of Stevens T. Mason the acting governor and
secretary of the territory of Michigan in the discharge of his duties ap-
peared to be very displeasing to President Andrew Jackson and he was
superseded by the appointment of Judge Charles Shaler of Pennsylvania.
Had the congress been in session his appointment would have doubtless
been promptly confirmed, but as it was not, Shaler, knowing that but a
short time could elapse before the citizens' demand for statehood must
be granted, he declined, and on September 8, 1835, John S. Horner, of
Virginia was appointed secretary of the territory, and accepted. Arriv-
ing at Detroit, shortly after, he reported to the secretary of state of the
United States, as follows:
"Detroit, Saturday Night, September 19. 1835.
' ' Sir ; I arrived at Cleveland, Ohio, late on Thursday night, and early
on Friday morning took passage in a boat, the Michigan, for Detroit.
My arrival here was unavoidably delayed until near night by our run-
ning aground at the mouth of the river. Late this evening I called on
Mr. Mason to whom I delivered the communications from the department.
On Monday morning next I contemplate taking charge of the territorial
government, and should have insisted on it this evening, had the emer-
gency made it necessary. Assurances have been made from all quar-
ters here, (Detroit) that Michigan is now and is likely to continue
quiet. Such I believe to be the pervading opinion here. The Detroit
newspapers received by the Department will give an account of the Mich-
igan expedition to Toledo on the 1st inst. Mr. Mason has this moment
handed me the enclosed memoranda in his own handwriting, of the
events of the 13th. I hear that a large meeting was held anticipating
my arrival, and a committee is shortly to call on me to ascertain the
principles on which I shall administer the territorial government. I
shall strive to effect .the views of the government, and to do so with as
little excitement, and in the best terms I can. I feel some confidence of
a favorable issue. I shall discharge my duties under all circumstance.'!.
"I have the honor to be your obedient, humble servant,
"John S. Hoenek.
"Hon. John Forsyth."
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY H9
The appointment of Mr. Horner by President JeAsoii is stated
to have been influenced by his great admiration for a beautiful
Virginia lady, who was living in Washington temporarily, and to whom
Horner was paying ardent attention. One evening at a reception in the
capitol. President Jackson was in conversation with the fair Virginian,
when he asked her why she did not marry. She gave the stereotyped
reply that she could find no one who would have her. The old warrior
answered quickly: "Well, you get married, and I will make your hus-
band a governor." She married John Homer, and he was appointed
Governor of Michigan territory. It did not prove a very happy nor
valuable wedding present, which the groom bitterly realized. He occu-
pied the gubernatorial chair just twenty-five days which were not en-
joyable ones. He arrived on the scene of operations at an inopportune
time. Mason, the deposed, was the idol of the people, wlio Were in no
mood to receive a stranger into their territory, to govern them, and
took no pains to conceal their unfriendly feelings- Some personal en-
counters were precipitated by Horner's lack of tact, which were very
near to disagreeable results. On the 12th of July, 1836, a public meet-
ing was held at the city hall in Detroit which was addressed by Secre-
tary Horner, giving his views and announcing his policy in governing
the territory. Near the close of the meeting a series of resolutions Were
adopted, one of which ran as follows:
"Resolved, that if our present secretary of the territory should find
it beyond his control, either from the nature of his instructions, his
feelings of tenderness towards those who have for a long period of
time set at defiance the laws of the United States, as well as those of
the territory, or any feelings of delicacy entertained towards the execu-
tive of a neighboring state, who has in vain endeavored to take forcible
possession of a part of our territory, it is hoped he will relinquish the
duties of his office, and return to the land of his nativity." In October,
1835, Governor Horner wrote a letter to a friend in Washington relating
the difficulties of his office, and complaining of the obstacles constantly
thrown in his way by the people, and the general ill-feeling that he
encountered. A portion of this letter will serve to illustrate the exist-
ing state of the temper of the state:
"Under the most disadvantageous and embarrassing circumstances
which anarchy could present, the wishes, the instructions of the gov-
ernment have been constitutionally complied with. • * • On Satur-
day noon Judge Swayne and myself left Tecumseh for Detroit, and on
our arrival at Ypsilanti were mobbed, the house in which we were was
injured and every indignity offered; no bones, however, were broken,
and not a word was said by me on the subject. • * • My labours,
both mental and bodily have been very arduous, almost insupportable.
It was two days before I could procure a clerk or private secretary,
such was the state of the public mind, from some cause or other. I
mention mobs and details only to show the state of things; personally
I care nothing for them. Effigies, burnings, threats and other manifes-
tations of excitement have constantly surrounded me. The source of all
this I am apprized of, as well as the actors. • * * There never was
a government in Christendom with such officers, civil and military and
tilled with doctrines as Michigan. 'Turn out' is what everybody desires,
and one of the judges at Monroe expressed publicly his desire to be-
come a martyr to the cause. The demonstrations here at Monroe have
been especially exasperating and disagreeable. I could not find a man
to obey an order nor to respectfully grant a request. On one occasion so
excited became a small mob that I and my companion barely escaped
being thrown bodily into the River Raisin. # • • There are no
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120 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
funds within my control, and, to discharge the duties of my office,
I have exhausted my own pecuniary resources."
At Ypsilanti in such disfavor was the new governor held that he
was ohliged to make his hed on the floor of the hotel room in which he
slept — Or tried to sleep — directly under the window, to escape the flying
missiles and unsavory e^s hurled at hiin by the furious citizens. To
add insult to injury, the landlord of. the tavern where he lodged added
to his bill the amount of damages, estimated by himself, committed by
the mob. Such was the reception given by Michigan to its newly
appointed secretary and acting governor, and his brief but lively tenure
of office.
Representative Government Vuted Down
The population of Michigan had early in 1837 reached the numhei'
authorized under the ordinance, to form a representative government. It
having been submitted to a popular vote in the spring of 1818, whether
this step should be taken, it was voted down by a large majority. It is
difiicult for us, educated under a system of self government, to fully
comprehend the feelings or sentiments of those who have been brought
up under a paternal government. The brief period of representation in
the assembly of the northwest territory had not habituated the French
settlers to our notions, and the absence of any local system in county
and township administration left them entirely ignorant of its advan-
tages. Those who reached middle age before the people of the terri-
tory became entitled to vote for their own officers were not in all cases,
pleased with the change and some of them who survived to a very
recent period never ceased to sigh for the "good old days," when the
commanding officer was the whole government. General Cass was
quite in advance of any statesman of his time in his ideas of popular in-
terference in the selection of public ofHeers. There is, to-day, still, much
difference of opinion concerning the policy of electing by general vote,
those ofBeers whose functions are not representative.
Extinguishment of Indian Title
In 1817 it was deemed advisable by the government to attempt the
extinguishment of the Indian title to all the land claimed by them within
the limits of the state of Ohio. Governor Cass was selected by the Presi-
dent to ascertain by personal interview with the chiefs and head men
of the several tribes who claimed the lands, how far it would be prac-
ticable to carry into effect the wishes of the government. The manner
of procedure was left discretionary with the governor. If he should
find that it would be impossible or impolitic to endeavor to obtain all
the country claimed, his negotiations were to be confined to an attempt
to procure the relinquishment of a portion. Accordingly, in April,
1817, the governor proceeded to Sandusky, Ohio, to ascertain the views
of the Indians on the subject of his mission. Here he learned that there
was very little doubt that the Indians would consent to cede a very
considerable portion of their country. Upon submitting his report
to the acting secretary of war, a commission was issued in May, author-
izing Governor Cass and Gen. McArthur to negotiate a treaty without
instructions any further than that the commissioners should keep in
view the desire of the government for the peaceable removal of the
Indians from the Lake Brie region to lands west of the Mississippi
river. Everything else was left to the judgment and discretion of
the commissioners. The treaty which they then negotiated was one
of the most important ever negotiated with the Indians in the United
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 121
States. By its terms the tribes ceded to our government nearly all
the lands which they claimed within the limits of Ohio, a part of
Indiana, a portion of the Michigan territory. It attached the isolated
population of Michigan to the 500,000 inhabitants of Ohio, it made the
territory of Michigan, in a fuller sense, a constituent part of the Amer-
ican union, and removed for all time, the apprehension which had for
a long time existed, of a powerful and inimical confederacy among the
Indian tribes. The difficulties surrounding these negotiations required
all the experience and sagacity, tact and diplomacy of the commissioners
and the final accomplishment of this mission was a most important
achievement. In the note of the war department acknowledging the
receipt of the treaty at Washington, the secretary said: "The extent
of the cession far exceeds my most sanguine expectation and there can
be no real or well-founded objections to the amount of compensation
made for it, except it be that it is inadequate. This treaty may be con-
sidered, in its fiscal, political and moral effects, as the most important
of any that we have hitherto made with the Indians." Below is a state-
ment showing the treaties negotiated by General Cass, from July 1814,
to April 1832, inclusive :
Names of tribes and the date of treaty :
Wyandottes, Delawares, Shawnees, Miamies— July 22, 1814.
Wyandottes, Delawares, Shawnees, Ottawas, Pottawattomies and
Chippewas, September 29, 1817.
Delawares, October 3, 1818.
Wiamies, October 6, 1818.
Pottawattomies, October 2, 1819.
Chippewas of Saginaw, September 24, 181!*.
Chippewas of Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Superior, June 16, 1820.
Ottawas of L'Arbre, L^e Michigan, July 6, 1820.
Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattomies of Illinois, August 29, 1821.
Sioux, Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, lowas, AVinnebagoes, Menominees
and Pottawattomies, August 19, 1825.
Chippewas of Lake Superior and northwest, August 5. 1826.
Miamies of the Wabash, October 23, 1826.
Pottawattomies, October 16, 1826.
Chippewas, Menominees and Winnebagoes, August 11, 1827.
Sacs, Poxes, Winnebagoes, Pottawattomies, Ottawas and Chippewas,
August 25, 1828.
Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawattomies of the Illinois, Milwaukee and
Manitowoc, July 29, 1829.
. Creeks, April 4, 18;i2.
The C.iss Indian Expedition
An estimate of the number of Indians within the superintendency
of General Cass, at the time of his appointment as the executive,
at Detroit, in 1813, shows that there were 41,000, of whom 8,890 were
warriors. In the absence of any knowledge of the Indian tribes, occupy-
ing the lands eastward of the Mississippi, their attitude towards the gov-
ernment, or their views in regard to their future, it became necessary to
obtain reliable information on these points, as well as to ascertaih the
state of the British Fur Trade within this part of our jurisdiction, and
other facts pertinent to the cause of the United States and especially of
Michigan, To obtain the best results from an examination into these
matters, it involved the selection of expert, reliable men to conduct it.
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122 IIISTORV OF MONROE COUNTY
The matter met the approvai of the government at Washington, and to
aid in accomptishing the objects o£ an expedition, a topograpliieal en-
gineer, also a mineralogist and geologist were appointed to accompany
the expedition.
On "Wednesday, May 24, 1820, arrangements for the expedition ac-
cording to the plans projected by Governor Cass having been completed,
the governor started from Detroit, accompanied by Captain Douglass of
the Engineer Corps, Lieutenant McKay of the Artillery Corps, Dr. Wol-
cott of the Indian Department, Henry B. Schoolcraft, a scientific geolo-
gist, and three other pei-sons, citizens of Detroit, forming a company of
eight. Their conveyances consisted of three large canoes propelled by
. voyageurs and Indians; each caiioe carried at its stern the flag of the
United States.
The departure of this party caused a decided sensation, and the
wharves and banks of the river were lined with interested spectators who
sent up hearty cheers, and shouts of encouragement. The novelty and
hazardous nature of the expedition and its significance was appreciated
by all, while the characteristic costumes of the voyageurs and Indians,
and the music of their boatsmen's exIiUarating songs as they vied with
each other in taking the lead, and sending their canoes through the water
with tremendous force and speed. They arrived at Mackinac on June 10,
the route covering about four hundred miles. Here they procured larger
and stronger canoes, a large batteau, and certain necessaries, and con-
tinued their journey to the Sault de Ste Marie, where the Governor se-
cured from the Chippewas a cession of sixteen s(|Uare miles of land, as
instructed by the Secretary of War, for the purpose of establishing a
military post. This was an important and valuable ae(|uisition ; one
necessary, in fact, for the preservation of friendly feeling on the part
of the Indians inhabiting the upper country. The Sault de Ste, Marie
was the key to the country around and north of Lake Superior; it was the
thoroughfare through which the Indians passed to receive their presents
and medals at the British post on Drummonds Island near the mouth
of St. Mary's river.
On the occasion of effecting this treaty, Governor Cass met with an
incident which called for the traits of personal courage, and indiflferenee
to danger, which characterized him at all times. We have the particulars
from the personal reminiscences of one of the gentlemen who accompanied
the expedition: — "A chief who was called the 'Count,' in deference to
his pompous manner and predilections to showy attire and disposition
to 'lord it' over his associates of lesser note, appeared at the council as-
sembled at the Sault, in the full uniform of a British officer of rank, and
during the conference, showed the greatest aversion and contempt for the
Americans. The council was not altogether harmonious, and the ' Count'
had more or less to do with this. When the information was given that
it was the intention to build a fort on the land acquired there was a
hostile demonstration of disapproval. The 'Count' made a fiery speech,
during which he planted his war lance in the ground with wild gesture
and kicked away the presents which the visitors had laid out on the
ground before them. On leaving the council, which had been held in the
Governor's tent, the Indians went to their own encampment situated on
an eminence some five hundred yards distant, where the old French fort
had stood, and defiantly run up the British flag in the middle of the
Indian village in front of the 'Count's' wigwam. On discovering this
insolent action Governor Cass, deliberately walked over, with no other
escort but bis interpreter, hauled down the flag, placed it under his feet,
and informed the 'Count' that no other flog but the stars and stripes
must be raised on our territory, and that if another offense like that
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 123
should be attempted, the United States would put a heavy foot on their
necks, and wipe them off the earth. This intrepid action of the Governor
struck tlie Indians dumb with astonishment. He called his interpreter
and through him vigorously remonstrated with the chiefs upon the im-
propriety of their conduct, and upon the hostile feelings which they
displayed by this act toward tlie United States adding also that they
must be aware of the inevitable result to which such conduct must lead,
and that a repetition of it, while he was there, would not pass unpunished.
In leas than a quarter of an hour, the squawa belonging to the lodges, with
all their children had aliandoned the camp and were safely landed on the
Canadian shore. Appearances threatened an immediate attack by the In-
dians upon the party. Preparations were immediately made by the
visiting party for the defence against any attack by the Indians; but
the firmness of the governor affected what had been nearly despaii^d of.
In a sliort time the chiefs made a disclaimer to the Covernor for the hostile
acts, attributing it to the rashness of their young men, expressing regret
at its occurrence at the same time requesting a renewal of the council and
professing their readiness to make the cession of land asked for by the
Ignited States. The council was renewed and the treaty was duly eon-
sniumated. The Glovernor had plainly stated in forcible language, that
the fort proposed would be built, whether the Indians liked it or not.
The expedition proceeded on its course, through Lake Superior, as-
cended the St. Louis to one of its sources; descended a tributary stream to
the Mississippi river; ascending to the upper Red Cedar lake the prin-
cipal tributary of the Mississippi; then descending this river fourteen
hundred miles to Prairie du Chien, finally reaching Green Bay, at which
point a portion of the party separated from Governor Cass to pursue
topographical exploration. The Governor I'cturned to Detroit by the
way of Chicago, having accomplislied the object of the expedition and
accumulating a vast fund of valuable information.
The manner of treating the tribes of Indians in these negotiations,
and the tenor of his "talks" to the assembled chiefs, was a matter of
great thought and consideration, and may be understood in his speech
to the Pottawotomies on the Wabash in 1826, which was as follows, writ-
ten and read sentence by sentence by the interpreter: "My Children:
Pottawotouiies and Miamis: we thank the Great Spirit that he has opened
the paths to conduct us all here in safety, and that he has given us a clear
sky and a cloudless sun to meet together in this council house. Your
gi'eat father the President of the United States has sent me, together
with the gentlemen who sit with me, to meet you here on business highly
important to yim, and we reciuest that you would open your ears and
listen attentively to what we have to say to you. When the Great Spirit
fii-st placed you upon this island, he gave you plenty of gatne for food
and clothing, and Ik)ws and arrows, with which to kill it. After some
time it became difficult to kill the game, and the Great Spirit sent the
white men here who supplied you with guns, powder and balls, and with
blankets and clothes. We were then a very small people; but we have
since greatly increased, and we have now spread over the whole face of
the country. You have decreased and your inimbei-s are now very
much reduced, ^'ou have but little game, and it is difficult for you to sup-
port your women and children by hunting. Your Great Father whose
eyes survey the whole country, sees that you have a large tract of laud
here, which is of no use to you. You do not cultivate it, and there is but
little game upon it. The buffalo long since left it, and the deer are going.
There are no beavers, and there will soon be no other animals here worth
hunting upon it. There are a great many of the white children of your
father who would be glad to live upon this land. They would build
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124 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
houses, and raise corn and tattle and hogs. You know that where a
family grows up and becomes large, they must leave their father's' house
and look for a place for themselves — ao it is with your white brothers.
Their family has increased, and they must find some new place to move
to. Your Great Father is willing to give you for this land, much more
than it is worth to you. He is willing to give more than all the game upon
it would sell for. He will inako you a considerable present now, and he
will allow you an annuity hereafter. You know that all that he promises
he will perform. The stipulations made to you heretofore are punctually
fulfilled, Lai'ge annuities in specie are paid to you, and they arc suf-
ficient to make you comfortable ; much more so than you were before the
treaty at St. Mary's. Your Great Father is not only anxious to pur-
chase the country of you, but he is desirous that you should remove far
from bis white children. You must all see that you cannot live in the
neighborhood of the white people. You have bad men and so have we.
Your people will steal our horses, kill our cattle and hogs, and commit
other injuries upon our property. Some of our people have committed
crimes, escape into your country and it becomes difficult to take them.
Besides, when you divide our settlements, you cannot have roads, and
taverns and ferries. The game, too, dies before our improvements, and
when that goes .you must follow it. But above all, your young men are
mining themselves with whisky. Since within the recollection of many
of you, your members have diminished one-half, and unless you take
some decisive steps to check this evil, there will soon not be a red man
remaining upon the islands. We have tried all we could to prevent you
from having this poison, but we cannot. Y'our had men will buy and
our bad men will sell. Old and young you will drink. You sacrifice
your property, you abandon your women and children and destroy one
another. There is but one safety for you, and that is to fly from this
bad water. Your Father owns a large country west of the Mississippi;
he is anxious that all of his red children would remove there, and settle
down in peace? together. There they can hunt and provide for their
women and children and once more become a happy people. We are au-
thorized to offer you a home there e(|ual to your lands here, in extent,
and pay yon an annuity which will make you comfortable, and provide
the means for your removal. Y'ou will then have a country abounding in
game, and you will have the value, in specie, for the lands you leave.
You will be Ireyond the reach of whisky, for it cannot reach you there.
Your White Father will not permit any of his white children to live there,
for it is all reserved for his red children. It will be yours as long as the
sun shines and the rain falls. You must go before long — you cannot re-
main here — you must remove or perish. Now is the tim^ for you to
make a good bargain for yourselves, which will make you rich and com-
fortable. Come forward; 'then like wise men, and accept the terms we
offer. We understand that there is some differences of opinion between
the Pottawatomies and Miamis respecting their claims to this land. This
difference we should be glad to have you settle among yourselves. If you
can do that all will be well ; if not we shall examine into the circumstances
and decide between you." This speech had been carefully prepared by
Governor Cass, and was read, sentence by sentence to the interpreter,
who delivered it to the Indians in their own language. It made a deep
impression upon the assemblage, who could not but see that the accept-
ance of the proposition would be very much to their advantage. Before
the meeting broke up, Governor Cass added a few extempore remarks:
"Mr. McCoy whom you know to be a good man will go with you over the
pi and continue to live with you. You know him to be a good
e friend to you and would not advise you to do anything that
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 125
would be an injury to you. You stand alone. There is none to support
you — the Shawnees and Delawares are gone. Your Great Fatlier has
a quick ear, a sharp eye, and a long arm. If a Pottawotomie strikes a
Miami, or a Miami strikes a Pottawotomie he strikes us, — no matter
where he goes, we promise here before oui- bretheru red and white, we
will never kindle another council fire, nor smoke another pipe before we
punish him. Your young men must listen to what the ciiiefs tell them.
Thej' should do as in former days when chiefs had power and the young
men were wise. Let them now clear out their eye.s, and let the words I
have spoken go to their hearts. You have heard the proposal we are au-
thorized to make, remember it, and think upon it, and return an answer
to it as soon as possible. "When you are ready let us know, and we will
hoist the flag which will lie the signal that we are ready to receive your
answers." The dignity of General Cass in this trying position, his firm-
ness, and paternal interest shown made a deep and favorable impression
upon the Indians.
Terijitokiai, A.Nii State Hkat.s and JI(itti)es
The state was recognized when admitted into the union, as having
existed as such, since NoveinI>cr 1835, when the senators, governors, and
legislature came into office ; and such was the ruling of the departments.
The last act of the territorial judges on the first day of July, 1836, —
three days before the Territory of Michigan lost its remaining jurisdiction
by the organization of Wisconsin — was in tlieir capacity as a land board.
Tliereafter the affairs of Michigan were within her own control. The
motto had been "Tandem fit Snrculus Arbore" {the sprout at length be-
comes a tree), and it appears on the seal of the territory of Michigan
ill 1814. "This simple and graceful sentiment," said Judge Campbell
"looked to the future, and was now accomplished. The conglomeration
of mottoes and devices on the state seal reminding one of the Shaks-
pearean character who had been at a feast of languages, and appro-
priated the scraps; still, in spite of its heraldic confusion, the state
has suffered no damage from it, only harmless good natured criticism, and ■
her great seat, though not especially attractive as a work of art, can cer-
tify a most honorable history, and its motto pleasantly and truthfully
characterize its physical characteristics; none has an illnatured criti-
cism for its declaration: "Si Quieris Peninsulam Anicennane Circum-
spiee." It appears that the last legislative council had arranged for the
next legislature to he held in January at Green Bay, now in the state
of Wisconsin; by this action the executive seals of Michigan were car-
ried over the border, and they are still held at the Wisconsin capital,
notwithstanding much diplomatic correspondence has passed regarding
their return to Michigan — this is the Michigan Territorial Seat taken to
Wisconsin. There have been many changes in the designs for the state
seal, a very interesting account of which was prepared by W. J. Heal
and read before the Academy of Science, December 26, 1804, extracts
from which with the cuts used are made by courtesy of Mrs. M. Ji. Ferrey
of the Pioneer and Historical Society. The first design of the coat of
arms as used in the public laws of Michigan appears in 1839, and contin-
ued to 1872. Some variation from the original details of this design have
been, adopted from time to time by tiie heads of departments in their of-
ficial stationery but the general appearance, and the mottoes are much
the same. The word Tuehor, which appears on the shields of all the
coats of arms of the state, meaning "I will defend" has been thought to
bear reference to the attitude of Michigan during the border controversy
with Ohio and exemplified by Governor Mason.
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CHAPTER XIT
VETERANS OF THE WAR OF 1812
Preliminaby Gatheking on Guyor's Island — Veterans Present —
Formal Reunion July 4, 1872 — Interesting and Impressive Pro-
ceedings— Roll Call of Veterans — Response of General Leslie
Combs — Michigan's Later Tribute to Kentucky — The Legend of
THE Old Cannon.
When it is remembered that Monroe is, and liad always been ap-
preciative and loyal toward its early settlers, its founders, the veterans
of the war of 1812, and of all subsequent wars, it seems somewhat re-
markable that not until 1871, had there ever been a reunion of the old
pioneers who explored into the River Raisin country, where so many of
their descendants have resided for nearly a hundred years ; nor any
steps taken to organize a Society of the Soldiers of 1812.
Preliminary Gathering on Guyor's Island
In June, 1871, Mr. Joseph Guyor, one of these veterans, at that time
eighty-eight years old, and vigorous, hale and hearty as a man twenty-
five years his junior, concluded that it would be an excellent plan to
assemble together as many as possible of his old compatriots. Following
up this admirable impulse, he at once extended an invitation to every
one of them living in this county, to meet him at his home on Guyor's
Island, now the home of the Monroe Marsh Club; and which was once
known as "House Island." This had been the scene of large gatherings
of the Pottawattomie and Shawnee tribes of Indians, and the ancient
site of a small village of the former; many relics of their occupancy had
been found in the earlier years ; while, during the construction of the
railroad from Monroe to the Piers, an extension of the line of the Michi-
gan Southern Railroad Company to connect with its steamers on Lake
Erie ; in building its tracks across this island, there were exhumed, in the
course of excavation, tjuantities of hones, skulls, stone axes, arrow heads,
copper utensils and other implements used by the aborigines, unmistak-
able evidences of Indian occupation at some remote period.
It seemed a fitting place therefore, that on this historic island, this
gathering should take place. Besides this, it was a most attractive spot,
located on the north bank of the stream, shaded by huge forest trees, and
surrounded by the immense beds of Egyptian Lotus, wild rice and lux-
uriantly blooming members of the lily family, and the home of all manner
of wild fowl. Mr. Guyor proved a liberal and hospitable host to tJie
many survivors, and the four score or more citizens who gathered with
them. General Custer was at that time on leave of absence from his
command and was present, very much to the gratification of the old
"vets," and the host. While there were present many more of the old
126
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mSTOBY OF MONROE COUNTY 127
men than was supposeil possible, yet many more were absent for various
reasons, either they could not be reached by invitation, or notices in tbe
local papers, or were too feeble to undertake the journey.
A substantial and very much enjoyed dinner was ^f™' »y "r.
(Juyor, atter which addresses were made by the Mayor, H. J. Keduew,
General Spalding, Colonel Grosyenor, Colonel Luce and others; but it
remained for General Custer to arouse the utmost enthu.siasm as he rose
to greet the men of past generations, who welcomed him with warmest
demonstrations of respect and admiration.
Joseph Guyor, Aged 0,ne IIundeed and Seven Ye.irs
Born at Detroit, Michigan, 1772. Dieii at Monroe, in December, 1879. One of
the French settlers who cscape<l the massacre at the River Raisin and fle.l, with a
few others, to Ohio, January 2:;, 1S13. (leather of .los. Gi.yor above mentioned.)
Veter.vns Present
Following are the names of the old men, with their ages as given to the
writer at the time : Frank Boroft, age 107 years and seven months ; Louis
Jacobs, 96 years; Peter Navarre (the old scout), 82 years; Francis La-
zarro, 82 years; David Van Pelt, 89 years; Robert F. Navarre, 80 years;
William Walters, 88 years; Joseph Guyor, 88 years; Bronson French,
82 years; John Bejeau, 80 years; John Claffes, 76; J. B. Nadeau, 77;
Henry Mason, 79 ; Jean Cliovin, 77 ; Hall Deland, 75 ; Joseph Foulke,
80; Chas. Hixon, 76; Thos. Whelpley, 73; George Youuglove, 77— the
average age being 90 years.
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128 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
Peter Navarre, the old scout who was with General Harrison's army
and piloted Winchester's army to the River Raisin, was, of cflurse the
center of attraction, and in his broken English related many exciting
incidents in his career; Mr. Boroff, the centenarian was also accorded
respectful attention in his unique position of being the oldest resident
of Monroe county with a continuous residence here. The reunion was a
decided success, from every point of view, and Captain Guyor received
many congratulations for his thoughtfulness in projecting it, and so
hospitably cari^-ing out its details.
Naturally the (juestion arose, why should not Monroe provide for
another ' ' Veteran 's Reunion ' ' — on a scale commensurate with its interest
and importance t It met with cordial approval and it was unanimously
agreed that such an event should fee arranged the following year. Those
who appreciated the magnitude of an undertaking for a celebration such
as this was intended to be wisely decided that time and effort — plenty of
both — would be required to successfully carry through a creditable
demonstration. Therefore about January 1, 1872, the matter was taken
up, actively, plans were discussed and decided upon, meetings of some of
the most prominent citizens held, and the following executive committee
of arrangements was appointed : John M. Bulkley, Tbomas Doyle,- J. M.
Sterling, Harry A. Conant, John J. Stevens, W. A. Noble, J. D. Ronan
and Captain Charles Gruner. This committee met twice a month and
tippointud sub committees, who energetically began their labors.
FoRMAi, Reunion July 4, 1872
The details of preliminary movements and preparation need not
further be attehded to, further than that it was decided to hold this
gathering on July 4, 1872, in the beautiful grove of natural forest
tre^ on Washington and Monroe streets called "Noble's Grove." Those
who were so fortunate as to have been present on that occasion witnessed
one of the most remarkable demonstrations, and uni<iue gatherings ever
assembled in the United States. The occasion was impressive and full
of interest, because of its principal motive, joining in one celebration the
declaration of Independence, and the events of the war which coniirmed
it, because, also, every feature of it bore the distinctive marks of original-
ity, bearing upon-the events which it was especially to commemorate.
There were gathered here at that time, about one hundred and fifty
veterans of the War of 1812, most of whom were from Kentucky, coming
from their state under the leadership of that old warrior. General Leslie
Combs of Lexington. Nearly every one of them were in the ranks of
that gallant column of Kentuckians, who responded to the cries of
distress and alarm which went up from the little French settlements
scattered along the River Raisin at that period of gloom when there was
grave apprehension that the people on the northwestern frontier would
be entirely exterminated by the savages, incited to murder and rapine
by the mercenary and merciless agents of the British government. The
youngest of these patriots present, gave his age as 78 years, while the
eldest was some months over 102.
Interesting and Impressive Proceedings
The number of people who witnessed and participated in this demon-
stration was estimated at fifteen thousand to twenty thousand. Coming
mo.?fly from the state of Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky. The grand
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II [STORY OF MONROE COUNTY 129
stand, occupied by the speakei-s, distinguished guests, and officers, was
built entirely of the beams, planks and boards taken from the house of
Colonel FrancLs Navarre that interesting and time honored landmark,
which was used as the head<(uarters of General Winchester, at the time
of the Battle of the River Raisin — and which was being demolished to
make room for the tine large mansion, built on the site, by Dr. A. I. Saw-
yer. This uni<|uc and interesting feature was made possible by the
executive committee, and impressed the veterans very sensibly.
The Kentuckians brought with them the faded and tattered flag which
the troops carried with them on that memorable day in January, 1813.
One of the veterans carried with him an ancient flintlock hoi-sepistol that
had seen service with his father in the revolution ; another had a formid-
able weapon of the Jiowie knife order ; while bullet pouehes, buttons and
other relies, were eagerly examined by those who knew their significance.
The battle ground was visited and the battle fought over again in spirit
by those gallant and persistent, though unfortunate soldiers, many of
whom were able to point out the place where the old fort and block
house stood, and where the troops were forced across the river by over-
powering numbers of the enemy to the place, where, in the woods around
the Winchester (Navarre) hoiise the surrender took place by order ot
the Commanding General.
The committee on invitation had extended invitations to nearly every
prominent public man in the (-ountry, statesmen, soldiers, civilians and
from the President of the United States, through an extended list of emi-
nent men, many of whom accepted and were present, and fi-om some there?
were received appreciative and commendatory totters. Among others,
that which probably caused the greatest curiosity, and interest, ivas that
of Hon. Horace Greeley then candidate for the presidency. HLs known
undecipherable penmanship was the cause of nnich speculation to the
committee of invitation, who were unable to learn from his letter, at onee,
clearly, whether it was an acceptance or a declination; as a matter of
collateral interest, it is herewith reproduced, together with the "transla-
tion." (See page KW.)
The president of the day was the late Honorable Warner Wing Land the
principal orator of the occasion was the late Honorable James V. (^amp-
iiell of Detroit, then Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. The
oration of Judge Campbell was a classic, delivered with his usual simple
dignified manner, and evoked appreciative applause.
The following are the closing lines oE Judge Campbeirw eloi|uent
oi-ation:
"Tbe pw>|ilf of Micliigaii rejoice t.i lioiior all tliusp wliose iiilm- ■.md -iuilfid's
sepurej this pleasant land under tlie i>io tec ting care of tlie TTnioii.
"Soliliers of tlip war of 1812, worthy followeis of llie iiipii of '7(1. iii''C]it ovir
homage! Itay you live many long years to iTiiiuid our chililreu hon Freedom ]>!
gained, and liow slic is guarded.
"To yon, am ivolcome guests, wliose eoiiriesy has again brought Kentucky tn
Michigan, we offer our warmest greetings on tliis spot, iihieh will e^Pr be sacred to
you as to us. Iti memories recall to you friencis and kinsmen, whose loss made
sorrow through all your households. To us they are the glorified memories of mar-
tyrs, who dieil in onr behalf, and not for tliomselves. Jlay their spirit still live
where their bodies perished! And may the gracious Power that maketh men to be
of one mind in an house, bind the elder and tbe younger sister in unbroken union,
till those dark days are lost in hoary antiquify. and those heroes shine out of the
far-off past like stars in the firmament.
"Time may destroy the gathered wealth and the gi'eat works of eommerce
and enterprise. But the ehronicles nf FrcM-dom are "ritteu in characters of light,
that will last iindiiniiiod thrnugh all ngef.. ■ '
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Reproduction op Greeley's Letter
[Translation]
New York, June
187^,
Dear Sir —
I thank j(U for jour invitation though unable to accept it —
Many lares and critical health dissuacle me from traveling at present, but I
trust your feBti\al will be enjoyed by those pre-wnt as it will be a topic of interest
to thoiisatid-i who tympathiBe with the trial an 1 reioi^e m the heroism commcmorateil.
\onrs Horace Greeley.
Ti) T M Bill
Monroe "\Ii h
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 131
Roll Call of Veterans
The roll call of the veterans was read by General George A. Custer,
who was master of ceremonies. General Custer, in cooperation with
General Combs were most active in their efforts to secure the large dele-
gation from Kentucky. One of the most wonderful achievements in con-
nection with the event, was the bringing of the large number of aged men
from their distant homes in Kentucky to Monroe in midsummer and re-
turning them thither after the celebration without an accident to any of
them, or any case of illness, without cost, either to the veterans themselves,
or the managers of the celebration. The endless detail and hard work of
such an undertaking cannot be realized by any one who has not had the
actual experience. But it was a labor of patriotism successfully accom-
plished. Following is a list of the veterans, their ages being announced
with their names. The name of Charles Hivon was loudly cheered and
bushels of bouquets were showered upon him as his age (102 years) was
given.
Armstrong, Jas. R., 85.
Armstrong, S. J., 84.
Ball, Lewis, 79.
Barrett, Jos. C, 78.
Baut«, Pet«r, 81.
Beall, Leonard, 75.
Beach, Lewis, 79.
Benson, E. W., 75.
Beseau, John B., 81.
Bisnett, Joseph, 79.
Bittinger, Henry, 78.
Blanchard, S., 77.
Bolivar, Thos. 76.
Boroff, Fred, lOli/g,
Bortine, Benson L., 79.
Burns, Andrew, 77.
Carrick, Robert, 77.
Clapper, John, 77.
Clusin, Jas., 85.
Conseign, A. C, 82.
Combs, Leslie, 78.
Correy, Jas., 75.
Craddoek, J. G., 84.
Crawford, Alex, 81.
Crawford, A. B., 82.
Curtis, Alvah, 76.
Curtis, Dr., 78.
Davis, Henry, 82.
Davis, H. M., 79.
Davis, Thos. A.. 83.
Davis, W. E., 81.
Deland, Hall, 76.
Dewese, Samuel, 80.
Drayor, W. L., 82.
Duncan, Jere., 80.
Eddleman, Aaron, 81.
Ewalt, Joseph, 87.
Foulke, Joseph, 83.
French, Brown, 83.
Fultzna, Isaac C, 74.
Gaither, Henry, 82.
Ganarke, Simeon, 82,
Gebhart, John, 78.
Gibson, Matthew, 83.
Goatney, Robt, S., 82.
Goodright, Michael, 78.
Goodwin, J. K., 80.
Grant, L. Y., 77.
Quyor, Joseph, 85,
Hall, C, 77.
Hall, Joseph, 88.
Hamilton, Wm., 80.
Harvey, James, 80.
Hayes, D. S., 72.
Helwig, Daniel, 82:
Ilixson, W. D,, 91.
Holly, Jesse, 72.
Hudnut, E. P,, 78.
Hivon, Charles, 102.
Jacobs, Louis, 97.
Jameson, John, 70.
Johnson, Moore, 77.
Jones, Thomas, 80.
Kirk, James, 83.
Kolfuss, J, W., 77.
Lafoi^e, John B,, 76.
Lewis, Shubael, 70.
Lindsley, Thos,, 83.
Locke, W. R., 79,
Love, James Y,, 74.
McChesney, David, 79,
McDowell, J, C, 78,
McQoodwin, J. C, 80.
McLean, John B., 77.
McLock, Francis, 78.
McNain, C. H,, 84.
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132 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
McNain, Chas., 85. Root, John, 78.
McNeil, Robert, 77. Rowell, F., 77.
MeVay, Solomon, 76. Santour, Francis, 76.
Martin, John, 75. Shafer, William, 89.
Mason, Henry, 80. Shapine, George, 84.
Mount, Thos., 78. Shearer, Jona, 76.
Moyer, N., 77. Suane, Louis, 89.
MulhoUen, John, 75. Talbot, Oliver, 79.
Nadeau, J. B., 77. Thomasson, J. P., 74.
Navarre, Alex., 82. Van Aiken, Simon, 82.
Navarre, Nap., 81. Vance, Joseph, 84.
Navarre, Peter, 86. Vanderwalker, Jas,, 82.
Nedmore, Perry, 82. Van Pelt, David, 91.
Parker, J. C, 77. Verkies, Joseph, 82.
Pasko, A. A., 78. Walters, W., 78.
Pendleton, Edward, 84. Warring, Edward, 79.
Penwiek, James, 78. Webster, Larken, 80.
Postwood, John, 84. Whelpley, Thos., 97.
Puller, B. J., 81. Williams, Elisha, 86.
Quinsberry, Roger, 79. Williams, Sam. L., 91.
Reid, J. C, 75. Yonnglove, Geo., 79.
Ressenet, Isaac C, 79. Younglove, Jas., 74.
Rogers, J. R., 80.
Immediately after the exercises at the grandstand, whieh were very
agreeably interspersed with special musioal numbers by a grand chorus
of two hundred ladies and gentlemen of the city, assisted by a fine
orchestra and military band, all under the immediate direction of Prof.
Carl C. Zeus, the distinguished gu^ts, officers, veterans, military and
other organizations and citizens were seated at the banquet spread
underneath over-spreading branches of the great forest trees. _ This
was another evidence of the generous hospitality and good taste of ilon-
roe people ; ample tables were spread with every luxury in great abun-
dance, including native Monroe county wines and served gratuitously b\-
the fair dames and daughters keenly enjoyed by the vast numbers thus
freely entertained.
Toasts ano Responsks
FoJIowiiig tliis came the toasts and responses, a list of wliich is given
below :
1. The Day We Celebrate— Response by J. J- Adams, of Lenawee,
2. Washington — The world honors the man who conquered his own
ambition to give freedom to the continent. Response by Judge Patebin,
of Detroit.
'S. The Statesman and Heroes of 1776— The founders of a system ot
government that makes ours a powerful continental Republic for the
good of the world, if in our political advice we imitate their integrity.
Response by Hon. B. G. Morton, of Monroe.
4. The Veterans of 1812— Their march to victory was not by Pul-
nian palace cars, but through dense frosts dragging their cannon with
weary marches ; yet they eontiuered at Tippecanoe, Fort Meigs and the
Thames, and said to the world on Lake Eric "We have met the enemy
and they are ours. ' ' Response by Gen. Leslie Combs, of Kentucky.
5. The brave men who perished in the massacre at the River Raisin
in 1813 They still live in our hearts. Let us erect a monument to their
memory, that they may live in the hearts of our children's children.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 133
They made the city of Monroe memorable in history by their devotion
to their country. Response by Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, of Detroit.
6. Old Kentucky— Once the dark and bloody battle ground, whose
heroes fell alike at Tippecanoe, the River Raisin, Fort Meigs, the Thames
and at New Orleans; always the same good and brave old Kentucky.
Response by Hon. W. P. Thomason, of Kentucky.
7. Ohio— The eldest of the galaxy of the northwest ; bright as ever ;
may her lustre never die. Response by Mayor Jones, of Toledo.
8. Michigan — No less eminent for her commerce, agricultural and
mineral resources than for her intelligent and liberal system of_ edu-
cation and public charities. Response by Gov. Baldwin, of Detroit.
Gexeual Leslie Comisw op Kentucky, Ouebt op Honor
Leslie Combs was wifh General Winchester's brigade as an ensign, and
the Battle of the River Raisin in 1813. He again revisited the scene of the
in 1872, on the occasion of the notable reunion at Monroe of veterans of the war
of 1812. Photographed in 1872 age 81 years.
10. Detroit— The oldest city in the northwest; an honor to the state
for her intelligence and sterling worth and her connection with the
pioneer history of the lakes, especially with the River Raisin. Response
by Hon. Levi Bishop, who read his poem entitled the "Battle of the
River Raisin."
11. No North, no South, no Atlantic, Pacific nor Western States,
but our country, our whole country and nothing but our country, would
that she were ever right ; but right or wrong our country, sacred, tangible
and unprofaned forever." Response by Chief Justice Campbell of the
Supreme Court of Michigan.
12. The American Press— Independent, enterprising and intelli-
gent, it distributes knowledge and the spirit of freedom throughout the
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134
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
length and breadth of the land, affording the hest evidence and guarantee
of her institutions. Eesponae by C. "Waggoner, of the Toledo Commercial.
13. Our Regular Army — Though small in numbers yet eminent in
services, gallant in spirit, the educated intelligence that guides and
instructs the patriotic zeal of a nation in its defense. Response by
Gen. Custer.
14. The Sir Knights of the Order of the Knights Templar— The
light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehcndeth it not. Re-
sponse by Dr. A. I. Sawyer, of Monroe.
15. Sackett's Harbor— One of the turning points of 1812. Response
by Gen. Joseph W. Brown, of Cleveland.
16. Civil and Religious Liberty — Response by Dr. Curtis, of Cin-
cinati.
17. Our Foreign-born Citizens— Response by ex-Mayor Kraus, of
Toledo.
Kentucky Soldieer' Monument in 5Ionroe
The above concluded the regular exercises of the day and many of
the visitors left for their homes on the early trains. In the evening was
a tine display of fireworks at the grove and numerous private dwellings
were brilliantly illuminated.
Michig.4n's Lateb Tribute to Kentucky
There has been above described that memorable day in Monroe,
when there assembled on the Fourth of -Tuly, 1872, more than one hun-
dred of the surviving veterans of that gallant body of Kentuckians and
honored by one of the most enthusiastic, yet reverent, receptions. In-
spired by the patriotic eloquence of numerous gifted orators, the presence
of these old heroes here in our midst and the appreciation of what this
event signified, it was proposed as a part of yet unpaid honors to these
patriots of our sister state, that a fitting, enduring monument should
be erected to the memory of our brave defenders. It met with an
enthusiastic and unanimous approval by the assembled thousands.
Thirty years afterwards the promise made on that inspiring occasion
was fulfilled. It was the happy privilege of Monroe people by the
creditable action taken by our state, to witness a demonstration which
falls to the lot of but few communities. It was the realization of hopes
and prayers and the culmination of labors in providing a testimonal of
gratitude and honor too long deferred. The Civic Improvement Society
deserves unstinted praise for indefatigable efforts in bringing the event
about, and for providing so appropriate and beautiful a site for the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 135
nietiiorial pile. On the comer of Monroe and Seventh streets there was, a
few years before, an ancient and uneared for burial ground, the first
burials in which were the bones of an unknown number of unknown Ken-
tuckiaiK who had lost their lives in Prenehtown (the former name for
Monroe) in battle or massacre, which had heretofore lain unhonored and
unmarked in a nearby field. By the persistent and efficient efforts of the
Civic Improvement Society of Monroe, this hallowed spot was converted
into a beautiful park, shaded by majestic forest trees— Monroe 's first in-
habitants, carpeted with the soft green turf and adorned by fiowers and
shrubs. In this attractive spot which was baptized "Memorial Place,
it was the purpose of this patriotic band of women to erect a suitable
monument to the chivalrous Kentuckians. The purpose took definite
form, the movement received encouragement and appropriate recogni-
tion from the state government and soon a bill was framed and intro-
duced into the legislature by Hon. Simeon Van Aiken, of Ida, senator
from Monroe county, providing for an appropriation of $5,000 for the
purpose of erecting upon the spot designated a. monument to the heroic
dead— a tribute to our sister state, and creating a commission to carry
out the provisions of the bill. This commission was composed of Hon.
H. A. Conant, of Monroe, Hon. John Strong, of South Ruckwood, and
Hon. R. B. Robbins, of Adrian. The project was not allowed to rest ;
immediate action was taken— a design was adopted and September 1st
designated as the time for dedicating the monument. On this day ten
thousand strangers from neighboring and distant cities united with the
people of Monroe in fittingly honoring the memory of the gallant
Kentuckians who fell in defending the settlers of the northwest fron-
tiers. It would be a great pleasure to give in detail the eloquent
addresses, did our space permit, but we shall have to be contented with
presenting the official program of exercises at the unveiling of the
River Raisin monument at Monroe, Michigan, September 1, 1904, Hon.
H. A. Conant, Monroe, presiding.
Invocation Kev. A. W. Allen
Address of "Welcome Hon. Victor Sisung, Mayor of Monroe
Response, Hon. H. V. McChesney, Secretary of State of Kentucky
jiugic "My Old Kentucky Home"
Presentation of Monument by the Commission to the State of Michigan,
Hon. Richard B. Robbins, of River Raisin Monument Commission
Acceptance of Monument Hon. A. T. Bliss, Governor of Michigan
jiusic "Michigan. My Michigan"
Address Hon. J, C. Burrows, United States Senator
Address, "The Last Echo from the Battle of Raisin."
Col. Bennett H. Young, of Kentucky
Address Hon. Thomas T. Crittenden, Ex-Governor of Missouri
Music "Star Spangled Banner"
Greeting by the Representatives of the Patriotic
Societies of the United States:
Grand Array of the Republic,
Col. George H. Hopkins, Dep't Commander
Loyal Legion Col. C. B. Grant, Justice Supreme Court, Michigan
United Spanish War A^'eterans,
Hon. George T. Gaston, Corps Commander
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution,
Hon. George William Bates, Historian General, S. A. R.
Music "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean"
Society of tlie Daughters of the American Revolution,
Mrs. Laertus Connor, Detroit. Regent
Society of Colonial Dames Mrs. Henry M. Dufficld, Detroit
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136 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
Society of the Daughters of 1812 Mrs. John V. Sroraii, Detroit
Maumee Valley Pioneer Historical Sodety,
D. K. Hoilenbeck, President, Perryaburg
Michigan Pioneer Society C. M. Burton, President, Detroit
Monroe Civic Improvement Society Mrs. "W. Van Miller, President
Music "America"
Benediction Right Rev. Bishop Foley, Bishop of Detroit
Taps Ohio Bugie Corp-s
The Legend of the Old Cannon
The accurate history of the ancient piece of British ordnance, which
stands in the public square in Monroe, cannot be written for the reason
that none now living can remember the story of its capture or of any
person who at any time knew the circumstances of its presence here.
The most familiar legend in regard to the old cannon which has become
the accepted version of a many times told tale, relates to one of the
incidents of the attacks by British and Indians upon the settlement
of Frenehtown and the subsequent sanguinary battle between them
and the force of Kentucky troops under Winchester which met such
a deplorable fate. The old cannon is an iron six-pounder, bearing the
British coat-of-arms and the usual marks of the founder who cast the
piece. "When it was first seen here by any living resident it was mounted
on a heavy wooden gun-carriage minus the caisson and front wheels.
It is said to have been found at the bottom of the River Raisin, near
the site of the battle, which was on the north side of the river, now
partly covered by the plant of the River Raisin Paper Company, the
theory being that in crossing the ice with their artillery, consisting of
six cannon, six-pounders, one of them broke through the ice into the
river, which was several feet deep. It was left there, owing to the
precipitate haste of the British in getting away from the scene who
feared an immediate arrival of the forces of General Harrison from the
south which were reported on the march. The old cannon remained in
the river undiscovered for many years after the battle. It was finally
resurrected and put into condition for use, and its career in the "piping
times of peace" when its services were in demand for municipal and
political demonstrations, pole raisings. Fourth of July celebrations and
the like, constitutes its known history in connection with Monroe.
Another statement upon the same subject, based upon the recollec-
tions of an old settler, has it that this cannon one of the number com-
posing the small battery of the invaders, stationed upon the north side
of the river when in action, was disabled, or its gunners so repeatedly
picked off by the riflemen of the Kentuckians that it was abandoned,
and when the troops and Indians left the scene of the surrender by
Winchester this cannon was left behind and fell into the hands of the
Americans, together with the bodies of five artillerists who successively
served the gun and met the common fate. It was put into one of the
large bams near the river and lay there neglected for a long time, when
it Avas finally brought out and placed in the hands of the village authori-
ties, eventually becoming city property. So little historic interest did
this old relic possess in the minds of one of the mayors and so little senti-
ment possessed his spirit that a few years ago it was sold to a foundry
to be melted up as old iron, to be afterwards redeemed and recovered
by a few more patriotic citizens and, with its granite pedestal, placed in
its present resting place. The inscription upon this stone base tells
this part of the story in the following words: "Relic of the Battle of
the River Raisin, Januaiy 18-22, 1813.
"Presented to the city of Monroe by the Committee of Arrange-
ments of the Centennial Celebration of Settlement of Monroe, 1884.'-
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CHAPTER Xni
THE TOLEDO WAR
OmO-MlCHlGAN IJOUNDARY DiKPUTE— MlClJItlAN AS A TeRKITORY— OhIO
Sets Up CL_iiM— Michigan Takes Her Stand— 1'ort . Lawrence
TowNSHH' Upholds JLvson— State Forces Threaten to Clash—
The Amusing Side— Pai,l op JIilitary Leader— Justices Divide
Tbreitory — Narrative by an Actor — Contribution to Brown s
Army— JIiCHiGAN Rejects Olive Branch— Washington Again
TJPHOLDs Michigan— Ohio Boundary Commissioners Routed —
Ohio's Official 1'ronunciamento— Michigan Undaunted — The
Bloodshed— SiLVLER Succeeds Mason— Ohio Getting Even With
Uncle Sam — Michigan Admitted to tub Union — Military Orders
— Mason Governor of Xew State.
The Legislative Council of Mieliigan in Deeorober, 1834, memorial-
ized Congress upon the subject of establishing a territorial government
for Wisconsin. The desirability of accomplishing this act had been
discussed for some months, and both official and informal conferences
between men of both territories had been held. It was proposed^by
those interested in Wisconsin to name the new territory "ITuron, a
most inappropriate name, for the reason tliat the Huron Indians had
not lived there nor were they in any manner identified with it; and
Lake Huron did not touch it, but was as distant from it as Lake Eric.
After much further discussion of this subject and canvassing of sev-
eral other propositions a name was finally found that suited all parties,
and "Wisconsin," an appropriate and historical name, was bestowed.
Nothing was done by Congress to set apart this territory until Michigan
was ready for admission, when Wisconsin was set off on July 4, 1836.
On the 26th of January, 1835, an act was passed which, after recit-
ing the act of 1805 whereby the territory north of an east and west line
"running from the southerly bend of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie"
was set apart as the territory of Michigan, and the people, whenever
there should be sixty thousand free inhabitants, were authorized to form
a permanent constitution and organize as a state, appoint delegates to
form a convention to adopt a constitution and state government.
Up to this time Michigan had been in peaceable possession of the
country east of Indiana and north of the latitude of the southern point
of Lake Michigan as surveyed in 1818 and the authority of Ohio had
not been in force there. It had been included in the township of Port
Lawrence, laid out at the same time with the earliest township divisions
in the rest of the territory. The first act laying out territorial roads
in 1828 had established such a road from Port Lawrence, through
Adrian, to intersect the Chicago road, and the authorities had surveyed.
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138 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
laid it out and opened it at the expense of the territory. The Erie and
Kalamazoo Railroad was .chartered in 1833 from Port Lawrence to
Adrian and thenee to Kalamazoo river, the only authority whereby
lands were obtained for its line being under the laws of Michigan.
Ohio Sets Up Claim
In the beginning of this year (1835} Governor Lucas of Ohio sent
in to the legislature of that state a message asserting jurisdiction over
the territory south of the mouth of IVIaumee bay and urging legislation to
possess and control it. Upon receiving notice of this action by the
governor of Ohio the legislative council of Michigan passed an act on
the 12th of February, 1835, "to prevent the exercise of foreign jurisdic-
tion mthin the limits of the territory of Michigan," by virtue of which
it was made highly penal for anyone to accept or exercise any public
office in any part of the territory except by commissions from the United
States or from Michigan. On the 23d of February the Ohio Legislature
passed a series of acts and resolutions asserting jurisdiction over the
land in qu^tion, declaring that measures should be taken by all the de-
partments of the state government to establish it, extending organized
counties so as to cover it and directing commissioners to run the boun-
dary line, and requiring all public officers to extend their authority over
it. Governor Lucas at once notified the county officers to exercise their
functions and the major general under whose command the new dis-
tricts were placed was ordered to enroll the inhabitants in the militia.
He also determined to attend the spring elections in person to see that
the reorganization was complete and appointed commissioners to meet
him at Perrysburg on the 1st of April to run the line. The territorial
authorities brought the matter to the attention of the President. Con-
gress had adjourned without passing an act giving the land to Ohio.
Governor Mason of Michigan ordered General Joseph W. Brown, com-
manding the Michigan militia, to hold himself in readiness to resist any
attempt by Ohio to carry out the threatened measures, and the legisla-
tive council appropriated money to enable the executive to enforce the
laws of the territory, and matters began to assume a very menacing and
warlike aspect.
Michigan Takes Her Stand
The attorney general of the United States, Benjamin F, Butler of
New York, decided that the Michigan authorities were in the right, in
which decision the President and his advisers coincided. Upon receiv-
ing his instructions from the governor. General Brown issued an ad-
dress to the Michigan militia in the following words: "The crisis antici-
pated by your commander-in-chief has arrived; it has become our duty
to sustain the executive and the civil authorities on our southern bor-
der and to protect our soil and laws from the encroachment of a power-
ful neighboring state, manifestly determined to violate both. Your
services will soon be required in the field. The undersigned is com-
manded to say that if there is an officer in the Michigan militia who
hesitates to stake life, honor and fortune in the struggle now before us
he is required promptly to tender his resignation that his place may be
more efficiently filled. The division quartermaster of the Third Division
(Major Ullman) will forthwith inspect the arms, ammunition and mili-
tary stores at Tecumseh, Mottville and Niles, and report to the general
commanding the division, the amount of and condition of the same. He
will also cause the whole to be transported immediately from the above
named depots to headquarters in the village of Monroe. Captain Henry
Smith is appointed division inspector; Daniel S. Bacon, Esq., division
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 139
paymaster, and Charles Noble, Esq., aid-de-CJimp to the general of the
division. Fellow citizens! A cause which has the sanction of the high-
est authority in our nation, as well as the laws of our territory, must
be sustained by us and will meet the approbation of all in our common
country who respect our institutions and who are capable of appreciat-
ing the just claims of the weaker and the injured party when they are
sought to be bom down by mere physical force. We cannot submit to
invasion of our soil. We are determined to repel with force whatever
strength of the state of Ohio may attempt to bring into our territory
to sustain her usurpation and let the consequences which may follow
rest on the guilty heads of those who attempt to deprive us by force of
our rightful .jurisdiction."
The act passed by the Ohio legislature on February 23 authorized
and directed the governor to appoint three commissioners to run and
re-mark the Harris line. The 1st of April was the time appointed to
commence the survey. There was a division of public sentiment among
the inhabitants of the disputed territory as to which government they
should yield allegiance.
Port Ij.vwre.nce Townshii' I'i'iiolds JI.vson
Certain citisiens of Port Lawrence township addressed a communi-
cation to Governor Mason which follows, and shows that there was a
positive sentiment in the disputed territory in favor of aiichigan :
"JIONROE, March 12, 1835.— To the Hon. Stevens T. Mason, Acting
Oovei-nor of Michigan Territory : We, the citizens of the township of
Port Lawrence, county of Monroe, territory of Michigan, conceive our-
selves (by force of circumstances) in duty bound to apply for a special
act of the legislative council authorizing the removal of the place ap-
pointed for holding our township meeting. IJy a vote of the last town
meeting (1834) our meeting must this year be held in Toledo, on the
IVIaumee river. We apprehend trouble and perhaps a riot may be the
consequence of thus holding a meeting in the heart of the very hot-
bed of disaffection. We therefore pray your excellency and the legisla-
tive council to aid us in our endeavors to keep the peace and sustain
our claims to the soil as part of the territory of Michigan by am act
removing the place for holding the town meeting for the township of
Port Lawrence, from Toledo to the scboolhouse on the Ten Mile Creek
Prairie to he holden on the day of April in preference to the usual
day and place appointed.
[Signcdl "J. V. D. Sutphen,
"Coleman J. Kbbler,
' ' Cyrus Fisher,
"Samuet. Hemminway,
"Delegates from Port Lawrence to the County Convention at Monroe,
Slichigan."
St.vte Forces Tjieeaten to Clash
Governor Mason had received from Columbus, Ohio, a letter appriz-
ing him of certain contemplated movements which he considered of
sufficient importance to transmit to General Brown, commander ot the
Michigan militia, in the following note : - ■ j
"Sir- You will herewith receive the copy of a letter just received
from Columbus You will now perceive that a collision between Ohio
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140 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
and Michigan is inevitable, and you will therefore be prepai-ed to meet
the crisis. You will use every exertion to obtain the earliest informa-
tion of the military movements of our adversary, as I shall assume the
respousibility of sending you such arms, etc., as may be necessary for
your successful operation, without waiting for an order from the seere-
tar of war, so^ soon as Ohio is properly in the field. Till then I am com-
pelled to await the direction of the war department.
■'Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"Stevens T." Mason."
"Genek.\l .losr^EPir W. Brown, Monroe."
(iovernor Lucas proceeded to Perrylmrg, Ohio, with his staff and
the boundary commissioners, arriving there on the last day of March,
followed soon after by General John Bell, commanding the Seventeenth
Division of Ohio Militia, and immediately mustered into service a
volunteer force of some six hundred men, all armed and equipped. This
force went into camp at old Fort Miami, where they awaited further
orders from the governor; the composition of this force was five com-
panies of the First Regiment, Second Brigade of the Seventeenth Divi-
sion of Ohio militia under the command of Colonel Mathias Van Fleet ;
company captains being: Captain J A Scott of the Perrysburg com-
pany, Captain Stephen S. Gilbert of the Maumee company, Captain
John Pettinger of the Waterville company Captain Andrew Felton of
the Gilead company, and Captain Gramille Jones of the Lueas Guards,
an independent company of Toledo amounting to a total of about three
hundred effective men. There was also a portion of a regiment from
Sandusky county under the command of Colonel Lewis Jennings, and
a part of a regiment from Seneca and Hancock counties under com-
mand of Colonel Brish of Tiffin the whole force reaching the total of
six hundred men. These troops «eie rt.ciuited from the inhabitants
of the localities from which they are accredited.
The Amuking Side
Some amusing incidents undoubtedly relieved the " ' stern and awful ' '
preparations for grim war — one, furnished by the veteran, Hon. H. V.
Way of Perrysburg, to the Raisin Valley Historical Society, will afford
an insight into the humorous side of the situation, "I am unable to
give the particulars of the recruiting of any of the companies in Colonel
Van Fleet's regiment except that of Captain Scott," says Mr. Way.
"The recruiting of that company was as follows; Agreeably to mili-
tary usage he employed a drummer to waken the martial spirit of the
inhabitants. Instead of establishing headquarters at some particular
place, he instituted an innovation by roving up and down the whole
length of Front street in Perrysburg, that being the only street except
one that contained many inhabitants. He selected a spot near the lower
extremity of the street, and one near the upper end of the town, be-
tween which the drummer, one Ben Odle, was required to march and
continually beat the drum from early morning until night. He wore a
two-story white beaver hat with a narrow brim, but by long and severe
usage had become softened and the crown bulged up so that it was
really a two-story and an attic. A strip of paper with the words 're-
cruiting for the war' in large letters was fastened around it. His coat
was an old rifleman's uniform of green color, trimmed with black braid.
His trousers were domestic cotton cloth, colored with oak bark and also
trimmed with black braid down the outer seams of the legs.
"Thus equipped Odle, accompanied by a man carrying the American
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HISTORY OF. MONROE COUNTY 141
flag, marched up and down the street, healing the drum with great
vigor from morning to night. This drumming continued for several
days in succession. In the meantime the oourt of common pleas of Wood
county commenced its session. Judge David Iliggins was presiding
judge. In going liis iieat up and down Front street Odle had to pass
by the court house. Tlie dnimming after awhile became annoying to
Judge Higgi is The j Ige was a very nervous man and somewhat
irritable at t es 0 ot his peculiar irritable inoods came over him
during this ter ot o rt lie vented liis feelings by pitching into Cap-
tain Scott's d un e stead of some young and modest member of
the bar, as was I s s al stom. He ordered the sheriff to go out and
stop that dri nn n Tl sheriff went to Odle and told him that he
was ordered 1 > the o rt to stop drumminfr. Odle replied that he was
under orders and pay from Captain Scott to drum for recruits for the
war. Tiiat he considered it his duty to obey him as a military author-
ity and should continue to beat the drum until stopped by him or until
he was satisfied that the court had more authority than Captain Scott.
He marched on beating his druui and the sheriff went into tlie court
room to report.
"The judge's eyes flashed lightning when he heard the report. The
slieriff was ordered to arrest Odle fortliwith and bring him before the
court and a^o summon Captain Scott, all of which was done in a few
minutes. Captain Scott was interrogated whether this man Odle was
disturbing the court under bis orders. The captain replied that Odle
was beating tlie drum under his orders, having received the instruc-
tions from Colonel Van Fleet to employ the nnisic to aid in recruiting
volunteers for tlie service of the state.
"The judge roared out in a stentorian voice. 'Jlr. Sheriff, take Cap-
tain Scott and his nnisic organ to jail and lock them up. ilr. Prosecut-
ing Attorney, draw up an information agiiinst these men for contempt
of court and have the ease ready for hearing tOTiiorrow morning.'
"The sheritr, Jonas Pratt, made a move towards executing the order.
Captain Scott and Odle readily followed him downstairs to the corner of
Ihe building where tliere was a path leading to the log jail on the back
end of the lot. Here a stand was made. The sheriff's autliority to
imprison was repudiated. Tlie captain informed him that he should
not sacrifice the interests of tlie state to gratify Judge Iliggins' assumed
authority. That in the emergency of war. when the state was invaded
liv an enemy, the military authority, on which the state relies for pro-
tection, is paramoujit to the civil authority; that although he regretted
to disturb the proceedings of the court, yet he could not consent to the
enforcement of its order in bis case. He gave the sheriff to distinctly
understand that if he persisted in attempting to take him to jail he
would then and there on the spot test the question of power between
himself and the court. He told the sheriff that if he made a smgle
move further to imprison him he would declare martial law and do
with him and Judge Iliggins as General Jackson did witli Judge Hall
at New Orleans— put them both under arrest.
" 'That is right; that is right, captain,' said Odle, at the same time
doubling up his two hands to about the size of elephant's feet. 'That's
the wav to talk. ISuIly for you, captain. Stand off, sheriff.'
"UV this time there was a commotion in the crowd of bystanders
indicative that the sheriff would have a lively time of it in getting
them to jail if he should attempt it by force.
"The sheriff retreated upstairs to the court room as soon as possible
and reported what had taken place at the door liclow. The judge main-
tained a discreet and dignified silence and continued in the trial of the
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142 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
case on hand as if nothing whatever of an unusual cliaraeter had taken
place.
""Without losing any more time Oille slung the drum strap over his
neck and continued his march and music as before up and down the
street. After some little time the judge directed the sheriff to go and
find Captain Scott and ask him if he would be so good as to order that
music to some back street where it would interfere less with the court.
"The enthusiasm for enlisting recruits was so great that if the court
had attempted to enforce its order it would have failed.
- "Captain Scott acquired so much popularity by these proceedings
that he had no further use for his drummer. His company was made
up at once."
Governor Mason, with General Joseph W. Brown, arrived at Toledo
with a force under the immediate command of the latter of from eight
hundred to twelve hundred men, and went info camp ready to resist
any advance of the Ohio authorities upon the disputed territory to run
the boundary line or doing other acts inconsistent with Michigan's right
of jurisdiction over it.
General Brown had for his staff Captain Henry Smith of Monroe,
inspector; Major J. J. Ullman of Constantine, quartermaster; William
E. Boardman of Detroit and Alpheus Felch of Monroe, aids-de-camp;
Charles W. Whipple, division inspector; Daniel S. Bacon, quarter-
master.
The two governors, having made up an issue by legislative enact-
ments, found themselves confronted by a military force that had been
called out to enforce their respective legislative pleadings. Governor
Mason, representing the tenant in possession, was content to rest at ease.
Governor Lucas, representing the plaintiif, had to open the trial. He
found it convenient to observe a "masterly inactivity" for some days.
The whole country in the meantime became wild with excitement.
Fall of Military Leader
Mr. Way relates a ludicrous incident that occurred on the Perrys-
burg side of the river, which is as follows: Most of the soldiers that
came from a distance came with their arms in small squads, as they hap-
pened to get together, without any organization. A well known citizen
of Ferrysburg, not having the warlike preparations much at heart,
dressed himself in a commissioned officer's uniform and, mounted on a
very fine horse, made something of a military display on the streets.
As one of these squads arrived in Ferrysburg over the Black Swamp
road and was about proceeding to the river to cross over to the place
of rendezvous this would-be officer assumed authority over them and
undertook to conduct them to the ferry. After proceeding some dis-
tance the men doubted the authority of the man in military clothes lead^
ing them, especially as they had heard many of the Ferrysburg people
did not think much of the war.
When the squad got near the river they deployed into line and with
fixed bayonets closed upon their leader between their line and the river
and called on him for his commission or authority that he claimed to
exercise. They told him they were full-blooded Buckeye Boys, come to
defend the territorial rights of the state ; if he was one of them, all right ;
if not, they intended to know it. By this time he began to look for an
opening for escape ; but the boys closed up and moved steadily towards
the river with muskets at charge. Soon the officer was sitting upon his
horse as far out in the river as the horse could go without swimming.
The boys told him he should stay there until he showed his authority or
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 148
orders from General Bell for his release. He was kept there till lie
nearly perished with cold, when a number of citizens of the town came
and entreated the soldiers to let him off.
Governor Lucas had determined in his mind to order General Bell
with his force to Toledo as soon as he eould make the necessary prepara-
tions and risk the eonsequenees ; hut before he had got his preparations
made two eminent citizens, Hon. Richard Busk of Philadelphia and
Colonel Howard of Baltimore arrived from Washington as commis-
sioners from the President of the United States, to use their personal
influence to stop all warlike demonstrations. Hon. Elisha Whittlesey of
Ohio accompanied the eommissionera as a voluntary peacemaker. They
remonstrated with him and reminded him of the fatal consequences to
himself and the state of a collision between the forces. They advised
him to abandon forcible measures to get possession of territory and wait
for a peaceable settlement of the matter by Congress.
Pkoposed Settlement
The commissioners and Mr. Whittlesey' had several conferences with
both governors, and finally on the 7th of April submitted the following
propositions for their assent, to wit: "1st. That the Harris line
should be run and re-marked pursuant to the Act of the last session of
the legislature of Ohio without interruption. 2nd, The civil elections
under the laws of Ohio having taken place throughout the disputed
territory, that the people residing upon it should be left to their own
government, obeying the one jurisdiction or the other, as they may pre-
fer, without molestation from the authorities either of Ohio or Michi-
gan."
Justices Divide Territory
Dr. Horatio Conant settled at Maumee in 1816, General Cass, then
governor of Michigan, being intimately acquainted with him, either as
a joke or otherwise, sent him a commission as justice of the peace in tlie
county of Erie in the territory of Michigan. (This portion of the north-
west territory previous to and for some time after the organization of
Michigan Territory, was called Erie county and district.) The doctor
regarded the commission as a joke and never contemplated acting under
it. In 1819 Seneca Allen was an acting justice of the peace in Waynes-
field township under the laws of Ohio, residing on the south side of the
river near old Fort Meigs. Waynesfield was the only organized town-
ship at that time in the Maumee valley. His territorial jurisdiction was
quite as large as the prraent congressional district. He heard about Dr.
Conant having commission from the governor of Michigan, and notified
him that he must not attempt to do any business under it. Some time
in the month of December, 1819, Allen bad an engagement to marry a
couple on the north or Maumee side of the river. The river was high
and full of running ice, and very unsafe to cross. Conant lived near
the banks of the river on the Maumee side. Allen lived near on the
Perrysburg side and nearly opposite. Allen finding it impracticable to
pet over the river to fulfill his engagement, called to Dr. Conant across
the river and requested him to marry the couple. The doctor reminded
him of the objections he had heretofore made to his right to act under
his commission, and declined; hut Allen insisted on his doing it and
stated that this was a case of necessity and that necessity knew no law;
that his commission from the governor of Michigan would do well enough
for the occasion.
Dr. Conant married the couple and received a jack-knife as his fee.
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144 HTSTOBY OF MONROE COUNTY
Some time afterwiirds the two justices met and Allen made this proposi-
tion: He proposed, for himself, to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over
the territory on tlie Perrysburg or south side of the river, and that the
two should have jurisdiction iu common on the Maumee, or north side
of the river. Allen was very liberal, for he conceded far more territory
about which there was no dispute than there was of the disputed terri-
tory.
■ Nakeative uy .\n Actok
The following narrative by an active participant in the exciting events
oecui-ring, adds something to the humorous side of this vaudeville War.
It recently came into the hands of the author : ' ' The Toledo war occurred
in 1835. By general order No. 1 of that year, Stevens T. Mason, act-
ing governor of the territory of Michigan, and Adjutant-General
Lanicred, the cavalry company of this place which was in full bloom and
under the command of Capt. Peter Slingerland, commissioned by Gov.
Mason, myself holding the commission of first lieutenant of said com-
pany, by the same authority, was ordered to rendezvous at the hotel
kept by my father in Ann Arbor, for general inspection, and for the
purpose of arming and equipping onrsolves for the defense of our fron-
tier line between our territory and the state oE Ohio, a dispute having
arisen as to flic original survey-, whether the line now established was
correct or not. The disputed territory embraced a strip of land some
seven miles in width, extending west to the Indiana line. We met as
above stated, were inspected and passed muster, but when the time came
to advance on the enemy, a difficulty arose as to the horse that I had
employeil in doing duty "to our company. It belonged to my father, and
he ret^ised to let me have it, for he wisely said that he could not afford
so valuable an animal to be sJaiiglitered or captured by the foes of our
glorious territory, only on the grounds that the authorities would become
responsible for the full value of the animal.
■'Our colonel informed the proper authorities of our situation and
very soon an order came to have the horse got in line. Accordingly it
was equipped according to law and the line was formed early in the morn-
ing. Two appraisers were appointed, viz.: my father and Mosely 5Iay-
uard. The business of appraisal was through with in a hurrj-. The
lioi-se was numbered 85. The company took dinner at father's house.
We were immediately ordered to Ypsilanti, to join a mounted company
of that place. The number of that company was 85. When we arrived
at Ypsilanti we were ordered to consolidate the two companies. The
question then arose (a very important one) what to do with tlie extra
set of officers. Col. Owen Welch who was then young and vigorous as
man\- of us at that time had reason to know, proposed the following
plan", viz: that the officers of each company should throw the dice and
the highest number thrown at three trials should decide the elections,
and the men so elected should lead their countrymen on against the
brave Buckeyes in the terrible contest now looming up in the distance
between the two contending parties. The first in order were Capt.
Slingerland, of Ann Arbor, and Capt. Forsyth, of Ypsilanti. Capt.
Slingerland was elected by six dots. Then came my turn with the first
lieutenant of the Ypsilanti company. I beat him by four dots. Ypsilanti
got the second lieutenant and Ann Arbor the ensign. That question
settled, our colonel was transferred to the milta. Then came general
order \o. 4, which was to promote our captain to major, to take charge
of our detachment untrl we could join the rest of our brigade at head-
quarters at Monroe or Toledo. This made a vacancy in our ranks and
as a result T was promoted to the captaincy, and the balance of the officers
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 145
were promoted for the same cause in the same way, by our eommanding
officers. There was only one more office to be filled and that was done
by the two companies. My impression is that a Ypsilanti man was
appointed, but it might have been James Welch, of Ann Arbor; I am
not sure.
"Our headquarters were on the east side of the river, in a hotel
kept by Dr. Andrews. How proud and haughty (not to say insolent)
we were that we came out ahead of the Ypsilanti boys. They appeared
rather down-hearted, but whether it was caused by their failure to
secure the prominent officers, or the terrible prospect before them, I
cannot say, but we cheered them up and gave them the best the house
afforded in provisions and a superabundance of good whiskey, (not
the forty -rod of the present day). It had the effect to makp them as
well as us, valorous and remarkably courageous. "We were gritty as
hyenas and boasted greatly of our ability to whip our cursed enemies,
the Buckeyes, who were unpardonable trespassers on our soil, — the
very soil that our great congressmen had bequeathed to us and our
posterity. We would show them that we could whip them five to one.
We would not leave a man of them to tell the awful tale to their friends,
of their destruction ; their braves should fall beneath our conquering
heroes and terrible should be the slaughter. Words like these fell from
the lips of our noble chieftains and were echoed back by the noble
patriots who composed the rank and file of our beautiful territory.
Our eountrj' being rich in resources, the boys went their length in
rations for that night at least. The next morning the major issued his
first order, order No. 6, It was to this effect. Drilling the brigade
from 6 to 8 o'clock, then from 10 to 12, then from 2 to 4. This serv-
ice continued only one or two days, as we were soon ordered to the front,
or to the headquarters then at Toledo. Our first day's march carried
us to Knagg's tavern, 10 miles west of Monroe, on the River Raisin.
Our quartermaster, of course, went on in advance of our columns to
prepare quarters for the night, for our own men, but no others. The
officers had no reason to find fault with him for he made ample provision
for them. He obtained permission of Maj. Knaggs that the officers should
occupy the house, the horses were to occupy the barn. He got good
quarters for the men in a small field near the house and barn. Here
they pitched their tents for the night, after receiving strict orders from
myself not to touch a thing belonging to the major, not even the smallest
thing should they appropriate that belonged to Major Knaggs. The
major was present when the order was given and heard it. I was very
explicit and told them distinctly that should they disobey the order a
most terrible penalty would be certain to follow. I said should any be
caught in the act of stealing from the major, or of doing any harm to
him or his property, for any such misdemeanor, I should certainly report
them to headquarters and have them court-martialed. The men gave
three hearty elieers for the captain, all pledging themselves to obey my
order to the letter. So I left them in charge of the ensign and lower
officers until morning. The officers were provided with a bountiful
supper by Major Knaggs at his own expense. Moses Rogers was second
sergeant and my orderly. He took the care of my horse as well as his
own. We all, officers and privates, fared as well as could be expected
under the circumstances.
"Next morning we were all on hand at reveille, which took place at
five o'clock. The first man I met after the roll was called was Rogers.
I asked how matters were. He said that the quartermaster had furnished
treble rations, the horses were getting fat, and that the cooks were pre-
paring breakfast for all the oflicers and men, and that I had better
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146 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
eat witli them, for thoy had been to a little extra trouble to get rations
for the officers. I left him and passed on. The next man I met was
Knaggs. He was in a terrible rage, as mad as a hatter. I said : 'Kna^?s,
what is up?' He said the boys of my company had stolen five or six
swarms of his bees, all his ducks and chickens, all his decanters, ttimh-
lers, with three or four casks of liquor out of his bar, and what elsr,
God only knew. He said he would soon find them out and have them
brought to justice. I said to him it could not have been my men, for
they would not disobey my orders, especially after giving the charge
I did last night, and which he heard. 'It cannot he possible,' said I;
'but I will have the roll called after breakfast, and put them in line and
have them examined by Major Slingerland and yourself. I will also be
present, and if we find any who show signs of guilt, I will have him
dealt with severely by a court-martial.' This seemed to satisfy the old
man for the time being. Very soon we were called to breakfast, and
found that the quartermaster had made ample preparations, as the
following bill of fare will indicate: Roast beef, roast pork, dneks,
chickens, turkeys, geese, butter, honey, wheat bread and coffee, of the
first quality, were all among the eatables. 1 asked the boys how they
got all these extra rations. The only answer given to the major and
myself was, that the commissary had furnished them. That oiKcer being
present, we questioned him. He said he did furnish a part or the whole
of them, and plead in justification that the territory was rich and could
afford her fighting men good rations. I related to him the charges made
by Knaggs to myself. He said he would clear the company from all
such chaises, 'for,' said he, 'the militia have encamped near another
tavern, about one mile above us, and they were caught stealing honey
and chickens and had even killed a fine ox that was owned by the tavern-
keeper.' I said that did not excuse the men under my command. If
any of them were found guilty, the major and myself would certainly
have them punished severely. At that moment Major Knaggs cmiie in,
and to my great surprise accused my men of stealing bis honey, poultry,
etc. He said the proof was plain enough, for they might he seen on the
table. The commissary stated that he bought the beef, pork and other
eatables yesterday, and he could prove it by Hatch, the teamster for
our company. Hatch said the commissary had stated the facts, and
further stated that he had been up to the other camp and had King and
a number of others up for stealing honey and other things, including
ducks and beef. This rather cooled Kna^s down somewhat, but said
he would not be satisfied until I had the company in line and have them
all examined. I was entirely willing and even anxious that his desire
should be complied with. I, of course, wanted to clear the boys, if not
guilty, and was willing to do anything for them I could as their chief
officer. So I ordered James Welch, my orderly, to form the company
into two ranks, open file of three feet space, giving the major a good
chance to examine each man. He commenced on the right of the com-
pany and all went well until we came to one of the corporals, by the name
of Wicoff. I noticed that his left arm and chest were badly swollen, the
arm was a size or two larger than the other. Knaggs at that moment
came up, and said we had at last got the right chap. I asked Wicoff
what the matter was with his arm, and what meant that swollen face,
and what the cause of his excessive rotundity of person just at this time.
He said he 'was detailed yesterday to guard the baggage wagon, with
four others detailed for the same purpose under me. I became tired of
riding on horseback, and tied my horse to the teamster's wagon and got
onto the load with him; the wheels suddenly falling into a deep rut,
I was thrown from the wagon and struck my face and left arm, causing
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 147
extreme pain and ciiornions swelling of my chest. In fact, it came near
killing nie.' I said to him, 'I for one, give credit to your statement;
but I feai the major will require \ou to prove it' 'I do,' said Knaggs.
I then tailed an orderlj —Welch— to inform me whether Wicoff was
detailed as he said He said he -^^ as. Hatch, the teamster, heiug ques-
tioned (orrohoiated WicofE s storv. The four men who were detailed
with him stated the same thing This satisfied Knaggs, So the coast
was now clear and we finished the rear rank, finding no further evidence
of disoiderh conduct and the matter ended satisfactorily to Knaggs.
"About that time Captain Crane's detachment came past, bringing
reports that the n ilitia were stealing everything they could lay their
liands on So ui> i.omp»n\ got dear for this time and were ordered by
Maj. Slmgerland to mount and proceed forthwith to Monroe, whicli
order was promptly obe\ed \\( arrived there about noon, and took
our dinner m tht tourt house square. The dinner consisted of the
remains ot the lations furnished by the commissary the day before, as
I have stated except the (ontents of Major Knaggs 's bar.
"The men the night before by an order of the commissary — a
respectable man of Detroit appointed by Gov. iMason — ordered a guard
of eight men to draw trom Knaggs' bar its contents and start business
down by the side of the River Raisin. They obeyed orders and deposited
the liquor in a still place in the river, and there it lay safely until the
next morning and then it was carefully taken up out of the river, placed
in' one of the baggage wagons and conveyed to .Monroe, where the com-
missary dealt it out to the men for their grog rations at their dinner.
Knaggs followed on the trail ; but he was not any wiser, for he never
found out aliout the liquor. Sla.jor Slingerland took the commissary in
hand about the matter, but could get no satisfaction further than that
he had given Knaggs an order on the territory for an amount that would
cover the value of his liquor. So ended that chapter.
"From Monroe we were ordered to proceed immediately to the
disputed territory on the line that divided us from Ohio. We arrived
there on the evening of the day we left Monroe. On arriving there our
company formed a line in front of a tavern. The quartermaster went
into the house to secure quarters for the ofifieers and stabling for the
horses. The landlord drove him out, not with the ])oint of a bayonet,
but with an axe and ordered us from the premises, calling us rebels and
traitors to the country. He said he would have the regular army called
out to defend him and his property. Hut it was of no use to resist the
invincible host from the Wolverine state.
"Orders were given, however, as usual, to respect the man's property,
and our army was ordered to pitch their tents in the most convenient
place that could be found. A strong guard was stationed to keep off
the enemy and protect ourselves. The officers found quarters in the
house and the commissary furnished abundant rations for the officers,
men and horses, from the landlord's cattle yards, roosts and gran-
aries, all, of course, in accordance with army regulations. The land-
lord and his family were put under guard, lest they should pass through
our lines into the territory of our enemies and thus frustrate the grand
objects and designs of our government, for we were aware of the fact
that should the Buckeye be notiiied of our extreme weakness {only
one hundred and fifty strong), they might make a Bull Run advance
on us and use us up. Capt. A. D. Crane, with his Dexter braves and
another company, were too far in the rear to give us immediate aid,
and we had to do the best we could under the circumstances.
"We kept our enemies under heavy guard that night. A picket
guard was ordered out. A scouting party was also sent out. In the
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148 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
morning the scouts returned with the cheering news that it was all
quiet at the front. They also reported that they were very fortunate
in capturing many of our enemies. But I was so unfortunate as not
to see any of the captured men. "What a night that was for us poor
officers and soldiers. Think of the blood that was shed and the awful
carnage that followed sueh a terrible war. The fatigue resulting from
our long marches was, of course, almost intolerable. The terrible con-
flicts with our foes, how they loom up in history. After this fearful
night, we breakfasted on the remains of beef, chickens and honey, pro-
vided by our commissary the day before.
"We were soon ordered to mount and march in close columns, lest
some of our men might straggle off and be gobbled up by the enemy.
We were now in the enemies country, and orders came from Major
Slingevland, to make Toledo our headquarters, that being the place
where our governor had made his headquarters. In due time we
arrived there and made our report to the adjntant-general. We soon
went into camp upon the farm of Major Stiekney of the Ohio militia.
He was grit to the back-bone. He threatened summary vengeance upon
our men if they were so presumptuous as to put a finger upon anything
belonging to him. But his threat availed nothing with our invincibles.
His barn was filled with hay and grain of all kinds. Our worn-out
horses gratefully acknowledged the kindness of our quartermaster in
the ample provisions made for their wants, and with appetites almost
unparalleled in the annals of war, resulting from long marches and
short feed, they stowed away large quantities of the major's fodder,
not thinking, I suppose, of the awful threats of the owner.
"While the men were engaged in removing the major's fodder from
his barns to our camp, he with his rebel horde, consisting of about
twenty men and boys, fell upon our men with pistols, pitchforks, clubs,
and other deadly weapons, but our brave boys feeling the importance
of the great work before them, were invincible, and had but little
trouble in keeping the rebels at bay. When one portion of our for-
midable army became fatigued, anotlicr force would be employed. This
kind of ^irmishing was kept up for a wiiole week, each day, until the
major's forage was used up.
"During all this time our army was duly drilled, with scouts in the
country to report the probable strength of the enemy. The reports
were duly forwarded to headquarters by orderlies who were on duty
day and night, and it is not yet known how nmny horses were killed
in the great haste to give information to the commander-in-chief. This
was all important, as it was feared that unless constant dispatches were
conveyed to our army, the rebels would surprise us and annihilate our
entire force. Thus we defended our beautiful country. But soon an
adjustment of the matter was effected and our army returned to their
homes and their disconsolate families, without the loss of a single man
or an ounce of human blood. But notwithstanding our bravery and
the immense suffering from long and frequent marches our government
has entirely forgotten us in the bestowment of pensions either in money
or lands."
CONTBIBTJTION TO BROWN's ArMY
The contribution of Monroe county to the army of General Brown
was the Second regiment of infantry, with the following officers com-
prising the field and staff; Warner Wing, colonel; Apulus Brown,
major; Wm. M. Smith, surgeon; Lewis E. Bailey, adjutant; Almon
S. White, quartermaster. The company commanders consisted of (Cap-
tain Geoi^e W. Darrah, Joseph Moross, Oabriel Bissonette, Herman A.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 149
Spauliiiiig, Noyes Wadsworth, John Bradford. A company of light-
horse was also enlisted in Slonroe of whicli the following were oificers:
captain, Joseph Wood; first lieutenant, James McBride; second lieu-
tenant, B. Hotchkiss; cornet, Stephen B. Crego. The a^regate num-
ber of troops was 1160, whose pay amounted to $13, 638.76. Naturally,
the county contiguous to tlie contested territorj was in a state of com-
motion and excitement during the period of active preliminary action
and were daily expecting an outbreak of hostilities, the end of which
or the results, none could foretell.
Many of the incidents of the campaign partake of the ludicrous.
Michigan had a sort of skeleton in her own closet in the shape of a
"claim of Lewis E. Bailey of Monroe, for a horse lost in the service of
the state while acting as adjutant in defending the supremacy of the
laws." Year after year, from 1836 to 1846, this claim was regularly
presented and as regularly rejected, until in the latter year it dawned
upon the minds of the legislators that it might be as well to pay $50
and interest from January 1, 1836, as to waste time and printing,
enough to pay for an entire regiment of horses ; they capitulated after
the siege which lasted longer than that of Troy.
Michigan Rejects Ouve Branch
Acting Governor Mason, refused to agree to the proposition of Messrs.
Rush and Howard. He claimed that although congress had the power
to change the boundary and give a portion of her territory to Ohio, yet
as her boundary was then defined, she had the right of possession and
jurisdiction, and having acquired peaceable possession under the original
act of congress. creating the territory of Michigan, he would not com-
promise the rights of his people by a surrender of possession.
Governor Lucas, on the urgent request of the commissioners, and Mr.
Whittlesey, agreed, reluctantly, to accept the propositions as a peace-
able settlement of the dilReulty until congress should settle it; or rather
until after "the close of the next session of congress." Gov. Mason
refused to acquiesce in the propositions. Gov. Lucas assented to them,
regarding the governor of a territory in the condition of a subaltern,
subject to the control of the President. He looked upon the arrangement,
as made with the President, through Messrs. Rush and Howard as his
representatives as binding upon him, and disbanded the military force
he had collected. Gov. Mason partially followed but still continued
making preparations for any emergency that might arise.
Gov, Lucas now thought he could run and re-mark the Harris
Line without serious molestation from the authorities of Michigan and
directed the commissioners to proceed with the work.
S. Dodge, an engineer on the Ohio canal, had been engaged as
surveyor to run the line. He addressed the following letter to Samuel
Forrer, one of the canal commissioners of Ohio :
"Maumee, April 11, 1835. Samuel Foreeb, Esq., Dkak Sir: —
We were assured a short time since, by Messrs. Rush & Howard, that
no resistance would be made by Michigan. It is now evident that there
will be trouble, and the governor of Ohio will not be able to accomplish
the running of the line without calling out a strong military force.
This cannot be done without first convening the general assembly in
order to make the necessary appropriations. We shall start tomorrow
for the northwestern corner' of the state; and the next time you hear
from me, I shall probably inform you that I am at Monroe, the head-
quarters of Gen. Brown. Gen. Brown'was yesterday at Toledo at the
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150 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
head of the sheriff's posse of one hundred armed men. They camu for
the purpose of arresting those who have accepted office under the state
of Ohio. He informed me that any attempt to run the line would be
resisted by the whole force of the territory. That they had three hun-
dred men under arms at Monroe and six hundred more would soon be
there; that they have fifteen hundred stands of arms talten from the
United States arsenal at White Pigeon. That they did not mean to be
rode over rough shod by Ohio. H was replied that Ohio had not as
yet put on her rough shoes, and would not unless tliey made it neces-
sary, and that the line would certainly be run.
"The Governor of Ohio started on the 8th inst. for Defiance, and is
entirely unprepared to meet the forces of Michigan. What course lie will
pursue I do not know. Our party consists of fifteen or twenty unarmed
men ; and if we proceed we shall certainly he made prisoners, there not
being sufficient number to prevent surprise ; 1 think the expedition will be
delayed. The state of Ohio is aflfording no protection to the people on
the disputed territory further than through the civil authority. And
those who have accepted office have been forced to retreat. The Governor
has power to call out the militia but has no funds to sustain them.
"Yours Truly,
"S. Dodge."
Wasiiinoton Again Ui'holds Michigan
President Jackson applied to the Attorney general for his official
opinion in regard to his powers over the parties. After refcring to the
two acts passed by Michigan and Ohio in Feburary in regard to jurisdic-
tion; he replied: "The Acting Governor of the Territory of Michigan
has issued orders to Brigadier General Brown of the Militia of the terri-
tory, intrusting him with discretionary powers to order each brigade of
such militia into actual service so soon as the emergency require it ; and
commanding him to arrest the commissioners of Ohio the moment they
stick the first stake in the soil of Michigan. In anticipation that the
Governor of Ohio may order a militia force to sustain the commissioners
of Ohio, General Brown is further commanded 'the moment he may
learn that a military force of any description ordered out by the author-
ities of Ohio, is about to approach the disputed territory, to place himself,
with a sufficient force of a like character, on the ground in dispute, and
to fire upon the first military offleer, or man who persists in crossing the
boundary line, as at present claimed by Michigan, with any hostile inten-
tion, or disposition and determination to prevent his execution of the
previous orders!' The laws thus passed by the State and Territorial
legislatures, are equally irrepealable by the President. It is true that
the congress has the power to annul any law in the territory, but until
so annulled it will be obligatory and binding, on all persons within the
limits of the territory, unless repugnant to the Constitution of the United
States, or to the Acts of Congress applicable to the territory. The State
of Michigan does not appear to me to be liable to any such objection, and
I must therefore deem it a valid law."
Ohio Boundary Commissioners Routed
Notwithstanding the views or opinions of the authorities at Wash-
ington, the Ohio Commissioners proceeded to run the line, commencing
at the northwest corner of the state. Governor Brown sent scouts through
the woods, to watch their movements, and report when they found them
running the line. When the surveying party had got within the County
of Lenawee, the under sheriff ol that county with a warrant and posse
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 151
niad.3 his appearance to arrest theiri. He did make a few arrests ; but the
Commissioners and Surveyor Dodge made a tiiaely escape, running at
top speed until they got off the disputed territory. Tliey reached Perrys-
burg the following day very much dilapidated, bniisdd, scratched and
very hungry, reporting that they had lieen attacked by a large force of
Michigan militia, under General Brown, and had been fired upon and had
just escaped with their lives; and that they expected the balance of their
party were killed or prisoners. They formally reported these facts to
Governor Lucas and he reported them to the President.
The President sent a copy of the report to Governor Mason and di-
rected him to send him a statement of the facts in regard to the treatment
of the Boundary Commissioners, "by the officers engaged in the transac-
tion complained of." Governor Mason wrote General Brown informing
him of the communication from the President, and requested him to for-
ward a report from the officers engaged, containing a detailed statement
of what had been done ; that he could forward it for the information of the
President General Brown fonvarded the following report- from Wm.
McNair. under-sherifF of Lenawee county, with his indorsement on the
back in these words : " In eonse(|uence of reports being circulated through
Ohio that the Boundary Commissioners had been fired upon by the
Michigan military when the officers made the arrest, the following state-
ment was officially made by the under-.sherifE of Lenawee county who made
the arrests, to the acting Governor of Michigan Territory, to correct
such false reports.'"
"Tecumseii, June 17, 1835.— To Htevcus T. Mason, Esq., Acting
Governor of Michigan Territory :— Sir : liy your re(|uest, I have the
honor of transmitting to you certified copies of the affidavits and war-
rants on which the officers of Ohio were arrested while attempting to re-
mark Harris' Line, and as the report of the commissionei« to Governor
Lucas and letters published by them are calculated to give a false coloring
to the transaction, and mislead the public. I forward to you a detailed
statement of the facts from my own observation : On Saturday afternoon,
April 25th, I received as under-sheriff of this county, from Mr. Justice
C Hewitt, the within warrant from the affidavit, of Mr. Judson. From
the best information I could obtain, I was satistied the warrants could not
be served without assistance from my fellow citizens. I therefore mus-
tered about thirty men in the village of Adrian on Saturday evening, and
armed them with muskets belonging to the Territory of Michigan. Early
the next morning, I started with my small posse, intending to overtjflte
and arrest the OTiio commissioners and their party. About noon we
came up with tliem encamped in a small field (o\™ed by one Phillips )
seven miles within our territory. When I arrived within one-half mile
of the Ohio party, I left my assistants under the charge of a deputy-
sheriff and accompanied by S. Blanchawl, Esq.. I went forward in order
to make the arrest in as peaceful a manner as possible. On arnving at
the camp, I enquired for Messrs. Taylor, Patterson and Sully, the Ohio
commissioners, and was told they had stepped out and would be m, in a
few minutes. While I was waiting for my party to come up, and for the
coinmissionei'S to return, my party came in sight. Colonel Hawkins
observed, our friends are coming (meaning my escort) and we must be
prepared for them ; when eight or ten of the Ohio party armed themselves
with rifles and loaded them in my presence. In a few moments my friends
came up and I found the commissioners had gone— not to return. I then
commenced arresting the armed party consisting of Colonels Hawkins,
Scott. Gould and Fletcher. Ma.ior Rice. Captain Biggerstaff and Messrs.
Ellsworth. Mole and Rickets. After ai-rcsfing Colonel Hawkins, who bad
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152 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
in his hand a large horsoman's pistol, and another in his pocket, both
loaded, the balance of the party took a position in a log house and bar-
rieaded the door. "When I approached with my party within about eight
rods of the house, they all came out except Colonel Fletcher, and as I
approached them to make the arrest, some of them cocked their rifles
and directed me to stand oif, for they, would not be taken. As I continued
to advance upon them, four of the party turned and ran for the wooils ;
a few muskets were then fired over their heads, and a rush made after
them. They were pursued about thirty rods in the \voods, when they
were all come up with and arrested. The report of a man having a ball
pass through his clothes is a mistake. I was with them for three days
and heard nothing of the shot alluded to in the report of the commis-
sioners, and I firmly believe if such had been the fact, I would have
heard of it on the trial or seen the ball hole.
"The nine persons arrested were brought to Tecumseh before C.
Hewitt, Esq., and by his certificate hereunto annexed, it appears that two
were discharged for want of suflfieient testimony to hold them to bail.
Six gave bail to appear at our next Circuit Court, and one (Colonel
Fletcher) refused to give bail, as he says by direction of Governor Lucas,
and is now in custody of the jailer, who permits him to go at lai^e on his
parole of honor. I consider it my duty further to state, that the charge
repeatedly made, that the officers of Ohio were arrested by a Military
party under General Brown, is not true. He accompanied me as citizen
of Michigan without any official station, and the whole movement was
merely a civil operation under the sheriff of this county, to sustain the
laws of Michigan. There has been no call on the Military of Michigan to
my knowledge, connected with the Ohio transaction. The commissioners
made good time on foot through the Cottonwood swamp, and arrived
safe in Perrysburg the next morning with nothing more serious than
the loss of clothing, hats, etc.
"William McNaib, Under-sheriff."
The summary breaking up of the surveying party and the report they
made of the treatment they had received produced great excitement
throughout Ohio. The press spread the news, with such exaggerations
and comments as corresponded with the editor's views. Most of the
papers advocated the course of the Governor and condemned in unmeas-
ured terms the conduct of Michigan. Others criticized Governor Lucas
and ' his supporters and the measure, which he was carrying out, as
likely to bring the State into ridicule and disgrace.
Governor Lucas finding it impossible to use the line proposed by
Rush and Howard, called an extra session of the Legislature to meet on
the ensuing 8th of June. This body passed several spirited acts — among
them one to "prevent the abduction of citizens of Ohio" making the
penalty for its infringement, imprisonment in the penitentiary from
three to five years. Another to "create the county of Lucas out of the
north part of Wood county ; made Toledo the temporary seat of justice,
also a formidable one, entitled, "An act accepting certain propositions
made by the commissioners appointed by the President of the United
States relative to the northern boundary of the State."
Ohio's Official Pronunciamento
Following is the text of the enactment : "Whereas the Legislature of
Ohio at its last session, passed an act providing for the extension of the
jurisdiction for that part of her territory claimed to belong to the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 153
Territory of Michigan; And whereas, the civil and military elections
under the laws of Ohio have taken place throughout the disputed terri-
tory, and the organization under the same is now in all respects complete ;
And whereas, this legislature considers the right of the State to the dis-
puted territory as clear and perfect as her right to any other part of her
territory lying within her admitted limits; And whereas, great and law-
less outrages have been perpetrated by the authorities of Michigan upon
the citizens of the disputed territory, for recognizing the laws and right-
ful jurisdiction of the State within whose limits they reside ; And whereas
this legislature feels bound to protect said citizens from a repetition of
such outrages ; yet, as the President of the United States, acting through
the Honorable Richard Rush and Benjamin C. Howard, commissioners
on the part of the President, and his Excellency the Governor, of this
State, entered into an arrangement on the 7th day of April last, having
for its object the temporary adjustment of the diliiculties appertaining to
the possession of, and jurisdiction ovter the said disputed territory, the
terms and provisions of which arrangment were as follows, viz :
"First, that Harris' line should be run and re-marked pursuant to
the act of the last session of the Legislature of Ohio, without interruption,
"Second, the civil elections under the laws of Ohio having taken
place throughout the disputed territory, that the people residing upon
it should be left to their own government, obeying the one jurisdiction or
the other, as they may prefer without molestation from the authorities
of Ohio or Michigan, until after the close of the next session of Congress ;
And whereas, the Legislature is willing from a desire to preserve tlie pub-
lic peace and harmony, to obser\'e the stipulations of the arrangement
aforesaid : provided its observance on the part of Michigan be compelled
by the United States, and the proceedings of Michigan in violation of
that agreement be immediately discontinued and annulled. Therefore,
"See. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of
Ohio, that His Excellency, the Governor, be and is hereby requested to ob-
serve and comply with the terms of the arrangement entered into on the
7th day of April last, by and between the President of the United States,
acting through the Honorable Richard Rush and Benjamin C. Howard,
commissioners duly appointed by the President of the tlnited States, and
His Excellency the Governor of this State ; and if all the terms and stipu-
lations of said arrangement sliall be faithfully observed on the part of
the United States, and all bonds and recognizances taken, and prosecu-
tions and indictments commenced under the act of the Legislative Council
of Michigan of the 12th of February, A. D. 1835, shall be immediately
discharged, annulled and discontinued ; then and in that case, the action
and operations of all laws and parts of laws of this State inconsistent with
the terms of said arrangement is hereby suspended until after the close
of the next session of Congress.
"See. 2. That the United States or the authorities, acting under the
United States, shall, within the time specified, in said arrangement, do
any act inconsistent with the terms thereof; or if said bonds recogniz-
ances, indictments and prosecution shall not be immediately discharged,
discontinued and annulled as aforesaid then this act shall be null and
void.
"Sec. 3. That the Governor of this State be and he is hereby author-
ized and required to issue his proclamation whenever, in his opinion the
terms and stipulation of said arrangement have been violated, declaring
such to be the fact ; and from and after the date of such .proclamation
the suspension of all laws and parts of laws aforesaid shall cease and
determine June 20, 1835."
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154 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
MicniGAN Undaunted
Governor Lucas anil his State Governiiient wt're very much aggravated
by the bold front of the territory and the determined attitude of her
officers to prevent Ohio from exercising any authority over the disputed
territory, so the Governor called upon the Division Commander to report
as soon as possible, the number of men in each di\'ision that would volun-
teer to sustain him in enforcing the laws over the disputed terntorj-.
Fifteen out of seventeen divisions into which the State was divided re-
ported over ten thousand men ready to volunteer. About two thousand
men (estimated), were allowed for the two divisions that did not report.
Michigan was naturally violently indignant at this warlike action.
Monroe was now decidedly in the war zone, and its people were kept
very busy acting as sheriff's posse in making arrests in Toledo.
Another act, still, was passed making an appi-opriation of six hundred
thousand dollars to carry the laws into effect over the disputed terntory.
A resolution was also adopted inviting the President to send a eommis-
Bioner to go with the Ohio Commissioners to remark the Harris liue._
All these proceedings however failed to impress the people of Michi-
gan or to aiartn those living along the border. On the contrary it only
served to rouse them to renewed zeal in the cause, and they hurled de-
fiance in the teeth of Governor Lucas, and dared him to enter the dis-
puted territory. In the meantime, too, the Michigan authorities were not
inactive in sustaining their supremacy on the disputed ground. Prosecu-
tions for holding office under Ohio laws were conducted with the greatest
vigor, and the Monroe court house was the busiest spot in the county.
The partisans of Ohio were continually harassed. Suit after suit
was commenced against them, and each suit was the breeder of a score
of others. The officers of Ohio made feeble attempts to retaliate but the
attempts were generally unsuccessful in producing adeciuate returns.
Every inhabitant of the debatable ground was on the qui vivc watching
and reporting the movements of either the bailiffs of Wood county or the
surveyors' proceedings, ilany of the Ohio partisans wore arrested and
imprisoned in the Monroe county jail ; sometimes these arrests were at-
tended with some danger— always with great difficulty.
The Bloodshed
An instance is related in the case of Major Stickney's arresf which
caused considerable amusement at the time. He and his whole family
fought valiantly in resistance but were at length overcome by numl)ers.
After the Major was secured, he was ref|uested to mount a horse, but
flatly refused. He was then put on by force but he would not stay
put '" Finally two men were detailed to walk beside him, and hold his
legs while a third led the horse. In this way they succeeded m getting
him' about half wav to Monroe, when the guard became tired of that
means of securing him and proceeded to tie his legs under the horse.
In that manner despite his struggles, he was at last got to jail. An at-
tempt was made to arrest Two Stickney, a son of the major ; a severe scut-
fle ensued in which an officer was stabbed with a small knife. Blood
flowed quite freely, but the wound was not dangerous. This, it is stated
was the only blood shed during the "war." The officer let go his bold
and Stickney fled to Ohio. He was indicted by the C.rand Oury of Monroe
■ Major Stkkney of Toledo was a very eccentric man, which was shown in the
Beleetion of name/ for his children. The sons were given numerals instead of
names: One Sticknej-, Two Stickney, etc., while the daughters wore given names
of different States, Virginia, Carolina, etc.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 155
county, and a rei|uisitioii was made on the Governor of Ohio, for his
rendition, but tlie Governor refused to give him up.
A report of the stabbing of Two Stickney was forwarded to the
President, together with the statement that the Governor was protecting
him ; and an urgent appeal was uiaile for Federal assistance. This matle
a great impression on tlie mind of the President, and convinced him that
drastic measures should he adopted to prevent serious trouble, which
seemed imminent.
Shali!;k Succeeds JUson
The President prepared a paper of "recommendation" in the prem-
ises, looking to an entire cessation of "hostilities" and that all prosecu-
tions under the Territorial Act of February be discontinued and no fur-
ther prosecutions be ('onimenced until the next session of Congress.
This "recommendation," however, had no effect on the action of Gov-
ernor Mason. He was determined to protect his territory and his juris-
diction at all hazards. The "recommendation" of the President was
made on the third day of July and the deputy sheriff of Monroe county
was wounded by Tw-o Stickney on the fifteenth of that month. Prose-
cutions went on the same as before. On the 29th of August the Seere-
tar,\' of State wrote to Acting Governor Mason, informing him that his
zeal for what he deemed the rights of Jfichigan had overcome that spirit
of modulation and forbearance, which in the then irritable state of
feeling prevailing in Ohio and Michigan is necessary to the preserva-
tion of public peace. That the President felt constrained, therefore, to
supersede him as secretary of the Territory of IMichigan and appoint
Mr, Charles Shaier of Pennsylvania fo be his successor. On the same
day he made the following communications respectively to Mr. Shaier
and to Governor Lucas.
"Department of St\te, AVashington, August 29, 1835. — Charles
Sliakt Esq Sit The President having found himself constrained
liy a high sens*, of public duty to supersede Mr. Mason, secretary of the
Siiebtgan te^rlt0l^ has appointed you his successor. The President's
views of the courst to be pursued by all the parties in tbis controversy
now unhappib pending between Michigan and Ohio are fully shown
in the various communications made by his discretion to yonr predeces-
sor and which \ou will find in the archives of his oflSce. The Presi-
dent s opinions upon tlie whole subject have remained unchanged
tiiroughout He has belie\ed from the beginning of the discussion that
without furthei legislation on the part of Congress the country in dis-
pute IS to be eonsidertd as forming legally a part of the Territory of
Michigan and that the ordinary and usual jurisdictions over it should
be exeicised bv Michigan He has never admitted the right set up by
Ohio and in his recommendations to both parties, which have been in-
fluenced onlj In a regard for the public peace, he has expressly stated
that he does not desire on either side, what would be inconsistent with
their supposed rights; and that whatever temporary concessions might
lie made, with a view to preserve tranquility until Congress should de-
cide, would not and could not effect the rights of either party; and in
order to prevent any other than a peaceable decision of the question he
has stated distinctly what his duty would compel him to do, in the
event of an attempt on the part of Ohio to sustain her jurisdiction over
the disputed territory by force of arms. To avoid that necessity his best
exertions have been and will be used.
" He has seen with regret and surprise that both the Acting Governor
of Michigan and the Legislative Council have supposed him to recom-
mend an admission of the right of Ohio to the jurisdiction in question.
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156 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Courtesy, if not justice, to a member of the Confederacy requires that
her pretensions should be respected as far as is consistent with the
obligations of the conetitution and the laws. An acknowledgment of
the right and the temporary arrangement to avoid the danger of hostile
eoUision is in no respect inconsistent with the obligations of the con-
stitution and the laws. Hostile array to decide what I'orce cannot settle,
the question of jurisdiction, within three months of the meeting of
Congress, whose duty it will be to do justice to all parties, would be a
disgrace to the Union and a stain upon the character of Michigan, whose
approaching admission into it is hailed with joy by all its members.
"As there has been exhibited on the part of Ohio a disposition not
to enforce her claims, but only formally to assert them, an assertion
supposed to be required by her character — until the meeting of Con-
gress, it would be criminal in the authorities and people of Michigan to
seek by any means to bring the question to a different issue.
"The President has seen, with regret, the recent outrages committed
at Toledo, on the officers of justice, who attempted to execute process
under authority of Michigan, and he recommends that those of the
offenders who resisted and wounded a civil officer in the execution of
his duty and have fled from the territory should be promptly demanded
from the executive of any state in which they may have taken refuge."
"I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
"John Foksyth."
"Department op State, Washington, August 29, 1835. — Sir: By
the President's direction I have the honor to transmit copies of two
letters this day written to Mr. Mason and Mr. Shaler. They will show
you the measures which it has been deemed advisable to pursue and the
views entertained by the President in the actual state of affairs result-
ing from the controversy between Ohio and Michigan.
"He hopes that the proofs which these papers atford, of his earnest
and sincere desire to prevent any further collision between the authori-
ties and citizens of the state and territory, will be duly appreciated on
all sides. He trusts that they will be met by measures dictated by the
same spirit on your part. And as it is apparent from the recent pre-
sentment of the Grand Jury of Wood county that the inhabitants of
Toledo have declined at present the jurisdiction of Ohio, he hopes that
no attempt will be now made to exercise it within the disputed territory.
Such an exercise cannot be necessary for the preservation of order or
the administration of justice.
"And the claim of the state having been publicly put forward in
the face of the whole country, an omission further to enforce it, for the
sole and understood object of maintaining the public tranquility until
an opportunity of future legislation be afforded to Congress cannot
be considered as weakening any just foundation on which it may rest.
By the exercise of this forbearance on your part the President con-
fidently believes that further collision will be avoided and the whole
question be speedily adjusted to the general satisfaction without stain
upon the reputation of your common country.
"I have the honor to be, with high consideration,
"Your Excellency's obedient servant,
"John Forsyth.
"His Excellency, Robert Ltjcas, Governor of Ohio."
Ohio "Getting Even" With Uncle Sam
It now became apparent to Governor Lucas that any attempt to take
forcible possession of the territory would be stopped by the military
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 157
forces of tlie United States. This was a matter of great Iminiliation to
the governor of Ohio, The eyes of the country were upon hiin and he
felt it incumbent upon him to perform some act of jurisdiction in order
to save himself from the imputation of having backed down.
A happy thought struck him at an opportune moment. The legisla-
ture of Ohio had organized a county and ordered court to be held in
Toledo, the county seat, on the 7th of September. To actually hold this
court in the face and eyes of the military force of Governor Mason and
the recommendation of the President would be an act of jurisdiction
greater even than remarking the Harris line. But how to do e^-en that
was a question of some difficulty. Calling to his assistance the adjutant
general of the state they devised a plan.
The details of this plan were placed in the hands of the adjutant
general to carry out. lie ordered out a regiment to act as an escort
to the judges and to protect them in the performance of their duty.
The judges met on Sunday afternoon, the 6th of September, at Mau-
mee, a few miles from Toledo. They were to proceed to Toledo under
the military escort that had been provided for them the next morning
and hold court.
Some time during tlie evening a scout, which had been sent out by
tlie colonel of the regiment, returned from Toledo and reported that
twelve hundred men under the command of General Brown wore in
Toledo ready to demolish court, judges and escort in ease an attempt
was made t* open court. The report of course was false, but it had the
effect to snbdue the ardor of the judges as well as that of the regiment
which was to («cort them. But it would not do to back out at this stage
of the proceedings. The honor and dignity of the state of Ohio must
he maintained. Besides this they would be laughing stocks if they did
not hold court. But the judges hesitated at undertaking so daring an
exploit. The colonel of the regiment finally came to the rescue. Up-
braiding their "honors" for their cowardice and hesitation, he proposed
to take the whole matter into his own keeping. Stepping in front of
the waiting column of soldiers he called for volunteers for a "hazard-
ous undertaking." Colonel Van Fleet had only about one hundred
men on the ground, a force which was deemed sulRcient to disperse any
mob likely to collect, and it was doubtful if any obstruction at all would
lie otFered. A few adventurous men responded to the call. The trem-
bling judges placed themselves in charge of this forlorn hope and at
three o'clock on Mondav morning, September 7. 1835, they sneaked into
Toledo with the gallant twenty privates as escorts, found their way
to a schoolhouse which stood at the place where Washington street
crosses the canal, and opened court in due form of law. The pi_
ings were hastily written on loose pieces of paper and deposited i
clerk's hat. After adjournment the court repaired to Daniel's tavern
which stood not far from the schoolhouse, registered their names and
took a drink all round; while filling their glasses for a second convivml
mutual congratulation a practical joker rushed into the tavern with the
alarming report that a strong force of Michigan troops were close at
hand for the purpose of a general arrest. They dropped their glasses.
sprang for their horses with precipitate haste, leaving the reckoning to
be settled at a more favorable moment. AS they had accomplished the
work which called them here, speed was the essence of the present move-
ment and Maumee was the objective point. AVhen they arrived at the
top of the hill where the Oliver House stood and paused to look around
it was then discovered that the clerk had lost his hat in his flight and
with it all the records of tbe proceedings of the court. It was then the
custom for most business and professional men to carry all papers, per-
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158 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
sonal belongings from a spare collar to court papers in the crown of
their tall hats, which provided ample space for a general assortment
of promiscuous articles.
Having succeeded in holding court without molestation or blood-
shed and now losing tlie memoranda would leave tlie legal end of the
enterprise in as bad condition or worse than if they had done notliing
at all. Colonel Van Fleet, comprehending the situation, once more came
to the rescue. He directed the clerk and two or three of the guards to
dismount and feel their way back carefully in search of the lost papers
and hat, while the rest of the posse kept wateh to cover retreat. The
search was safe and successful. No enemy in sight. The great state of
Ohio was triumphant. The "record" was put into shape and made up;
it still exists to prove that the state of Ohio on the seventh day of Sep-
tember, 3835, exercised jurisdiction over the disputed territory by hold-
ing a session of the court of common pleas in due form of law. This is
the record made up from the recovered papers:
"Tub State of Ohio, Luc-is County, SS.: At a Court of Common
Pleas, began and held at tlie court house in Toledo, in said county, on
Monday, the 7th day of September, Anno Domini, Eighteen Hundred
and Thirty-five. Present, the Honourable Jonathan H. Jerome, Senior
Associate Judge, of said county; their Honours Baxter Bowman and
William Wilson, Associate Judges. The court being opened in due
form by the sheriff of said county. Horatio Conant being appointed
clerk of said court, exhibited his bond, with sureties accepted by the
court agreeably to the statute in such case made and provided. The
court appointed John Baldwin, Robert Gower and Cyrus Holloway,
commissioners for said county. No further business appearing before
said court, the court adjourned without day.
"J. H. Jerome, Associate Judge."
Thus did the state of Ohio triumph over her adversaries who at
every step in the proceedings were within their legal and recognized
rights. It is wholly needless to state that Governor Mason and General
Brown were surprised, chagrined and disgusted. They had an ample
force within reach to prevent the holding of a court, as courts are gen-
erally held at seasonable hours; but they were not familiar with Ohio
legal practice and did not look for midnight tribunals held in cold, dark
schoolrooms. The people of the disputed territory were, from this time
on left to regulate matters in tlieir own way. Public sentiment was
disposed to the philosophical: "Since what cannot be cured must be
endured" and peace and quiet once more reigned.
MiCHiG.AN Admitted to the Union
At the next session of Congress on the Ifith of June an act was
passed, approved on January 26, 1837, admitting Michigan into the
Union. The following is the text of this act:
"An act to admit Michigan into the Union upon an equal footing
with the original states; Whereas, in pursuance of the act of Congress
of June the fifteenth, eighteen hundred and thirty-six, entitled 'An act
to establish the northern boundary of the state of Ohio, and to provide
for the admission of the state of Michigan into the Union upon the con-
ditions therein expressed,' a convention of delegates elected by tlie
people of the said state of Michigan, for the sole purpose of giving their
assent to the boundaries of the said state of Michigan, as described, de-
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HISTOEY OF MONROE COUNTY 159
daryd and established in and by the said act, on the fifteenth day of
December eighteen hundred and thirty-six, assent to the provisions of
said act therefore. Section 1. Be it enacted by the senate and house
of representatives of the United States of America in Congress assem-
bled that the state of Michigan shall be one and is hereby declared to
be one of the (hiited States of America and admitted into the I nion on
an eqnal footing with the original states in all respects whatever, and
"Section 2. Be it further enacted, that the secretary of the treasury
in carrying into effect the thirteenth and fourteenth sections ot the act
of the twenty-third of June, eighteen lumdred and thirty-six, entitled
'An act to regulate the deposits of the public money^shall consider the
state of Michigan as being one of the United States, '
"Approved January 26, 1837."
The act of Junft 15, 1836. alluded to, fixed the southern boundary at
the Harris line and the disputed territory was given to Ohio. In V*^tui-n
for this action Congress gave to .Michigan the upper peninsula mth all
the valuable mineral lands adjoining Lake Superior ; Imtli parties thereby
acquiring lands to which neither had any legal right, after having ex-
hibited tlieir prowess in war witliout liloodslied.
Military OuwERr*
The official uiilitarv acts in this opera bouffe war is given in the
general ordei-s of Governor Mason on September 6th to the army, and
those of Ceiieral Brown of the same date with his farewell address
which to general readei-s of the present day. without knowledge ot cir-
cutnstances and incidents of the time would give the impression that
most serious warfare had engaged the high officials:
"(iENERAi, OBDERy. TIeadq CARTERS, MtTWiOLLAND 's, September 6,
1835 The Command of the troops assembled by order of the Executive
for the purpose of supporting the civil authorities in asserting the su-
premacy of the laws and maintaining the jurisdiction of the territory,
is hereby assigned to Brigadier Oeneral Joseph W. Brown, who is vested
with the exclusive direction of all military operations which uiay from
necessity be adopted. , j-
"The duty which the militia of Michigan are called upon to dis-
charge is one of a delicate and highly important character. It is only
in support of the civil authorities that their services can be required,
and it is expected thev will act strictly in obedience to the orders of their
Commanding Officer. The object to be accomplished is the protection
of the integrity of our territorial limits and the inviolability of our soil.
To effect this, it is believed, is the determination of the citizens of Michi-
gan, 'peaceably if they can, forcibly if they must.'
"In the choice of commander of the detachment, regard has been
paid to the selection of an officer, who from experienee and ability might
possess the confidence of those under his command, and it 's Ji-Hsted
that that officer will surrender his charge, after accomplishing the duty
allotted to him, with the satisfaction of knowing tbat he has been placed
at the head of men faithful in the discharge of their duties both to the
territory and to the commanding officer.
' ' Stevens T. Mason.
"Headquarters. Toledo. Sepfemher 6. 1835. (Order No. 3.) The
Commanding-General assumes the command of the Michigan militia
assembled by the order of the executive to defend and protect the tern-
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160 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
tory of the United States and support the laws, with feelings of pride, ■
He does not attribute the responsible selection to any partiality of the
executive, but to the relation he bears to the military of Michigan, and
to his ardent though humble disposition, to sustain at all times and
under all circumstances the constituted authorities of his country.
"In moments of peril the citizen soldier of America has ever ex-
hibited the fearless necessity to preserve his country's rights and her
sacred honor, and at the same time observe in his individual deportment
the strictest regard to the supremacy of the laws. The Commanding-
General feels confident that this high character will not be impaired by
those who from inferior sense of duty, have thus assembled at the call
of the executive to maintain if necessary by force of arms the law of
the land. Sprung from States distinguished in valor and for love of
order, the citizens of Michigan, in converting the implements of peace
into weapons of warfare never will forget that the least individual vio-
lation of good order tends to disgrace the character of the cause and soil
the honor of the whole. Strict military discipline must be observed.
Implicit obedience to orders the duty of all-
"Our cause is just. We assemble to defend from invasion our con-
stitutional privileges. The voice of law calls us to the field, and al-
thougli young in history Michigan must be placed in the proud attitude
of seeking to do no wrong and never shrinking from the defense of the
honor of the country, and the inviolability of her soil.
"By order of the Commanding-Ueneral,
"Alpheus Phelps. Aid-de-Camp."
"Headquarters, Fifth Division, Michigan Miutia, Monroe, Sep-
tember 10, 1835. (Order No. 4.) The different regiments, battalions
and corps comprising the brigade of Michigan Volunteers now assem-
bled at this place will immediately be put in march by their several
commandants for their respective homes. On their arrival at their
usual places of rendezvous they will temporarily disband, with orders
to consider themselves in service for thirty days and to hold themselves
in readiness, to march at a moment's warning to any point as may be
indicated by proper authorit.y. The ordnance and ordnance stores, arms
and munitions of war and public stores of every description will be
turned over to Major Ullman, to be placed in the public store in the
village of Monroe. In taking leave of the brave men whom he has had
the honor to command. Brigadier General Brown «'ould do injustice
to his own feelings did he neglect this opportunit.y of expressing his
high regard for the manly and patriotic manner in which they have
obeyed the call of the executive to assist him in sustaining ' the laws of
the territory and inviolability of its soil. Abandoning their homes, their
pursuits and their comforts, they cheerfully repaired to their camp ;
and the General is convinced they wo'uld with the same promptness have
marched into battle in defence of their country and its rights. Their
conduct while in arms has been worthy the noble cause which brought
them together, characteristic of their admirable conception of the duties
of citizens of this great commonwealth. The General expresses his
thanks and gratitude for their personal regard, and readiness to carry
out every measure which has been made necessary, a condition which
every military commander must appreciate fully. These duties having
now ended and peace having been restored to the community where un-
rest and apprehension prevailed, you are now to resume your usual
occupations, which you can do with the consciousness that you have
performed your duties with spirit and fidelity, for which you have
the thanks of the Commanding-General who now' takes leave of you with
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY igl
regrot, but with feelings of the highest regard and with most cordial
wishes for your future welfare and happiness.
"By order of tlie Commanding- General,
"Alpheus Felch, Aid-de-Oamp. "
JIason" Governor of New State
The election to ratify the constitution of the state and to elect state
officers was held on the first Monday in October. The result was the
ratification of the constitution by a large majority and the election of
a full set of state officers. Stevens T. Mason was elected governor, Ed-
^vard fllundy, lieutenant governor, and Isaac B. Crary, representative
in Congress. The first session of the legislature under the constitution
was commenced at the capitol in Detroit on the first Monday of Xovern-
ber, 1837, when Lucius Lyon and John Norvell were elected United
States Senators. The new state had at the time of its admission into
the Union become fairly settled down to the management of its home
affairs. The supreme court was organized by the appointment of Wil-
liam E. Fletcher as chief justice, and George Morell and Epaphrodotus
Ransom, associate justices. Monroe at once took high rank in the poli-
tics of the state by reason of the ability and sagacity of her principal
public men and the prominence of her citizens in all measures concern-
ing the progress and development of the city, county and state, which
was fully recognized by the government in the selection of her citii^ens
for important public positions of trust.
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CHAPTER XIV
THE PATRIOT WAR
Leaders of the Rebellion — Conciliation Attempted — Clashes and
Collapse — Ufpek Canada Troubles — Monroe County ' ' Exer-
cised"— Battle op Pointe au Pelee.
The Papineau Rebellion or Patriot War
It seemed to be the fate of Michigan to be in the midst of "wars
alarms ; ' ' sometimes because it was unavoidable and necessary, but also
when she had but an incidental or a collateral interest. Of the latter
classification was the Papineau rebellion, or patriot war in Canada and
the Black Hawk war, the former undoubtedly the most unnecessary
and absurd disturbance and hopeless attempt to overthrow a govern-
ment that was ever dignified by the name of war. In this Monroe, by
virtue of her position, geographically, on the very borders of the coun-
try involved, but a few miles from the center of activities, was imme-
diately in the midst of the "war zone" and its citizens inoculated with
the excitement that stirred up her neighbor over the line and which
naturally caused a feverish condition of society along the whole border
of the states from Buffalo to Detroit. While nobody on this side of the
line felt any direct interest in the cause itself or its ultimate results,
there was an irresistible impulse of sympathy which was the cause of
some uneasiness on the part of the government at Washington, as it
might touch the sensitive subject of neutrality.
Leaders of the Rebellion
The leading spirits in the revolutionary movement in Canada were
Louis James Papineau, who was styled the "hero of the French Cana-
dian Democracy," and Dr. Wolf red Nelson, an Englishman, who was
even more active and energetic than Papineau himself, who, indeed, was
working overtime, and so were his followers. The political causes in
detail which led to the attitude of the Papineau party are not indis-
pensable to the narrative covering the period from 1837 through the
year 1838, neither is a detailed account of current events necessary, any
"farther than it directly interests Monroe and the participation in some
of the events by its citizens.
Notwithstanding the often apparent foolishness which characterized
the political activities of the time there was an underlying principle of
justice and equity in the resistance of the people of the French popula-
tion that redeems the situation from being ridiculous in the eyes of the
world.
Conciliation Attempted
The upper and lower provinces were directly antagonistic and the
assembly, which was called the parliament, was constantly harassed with
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 163
quarrels whose only real basis was racial antipathy, which constantly
showed itself in rancorous hostility. This finally culminated when the
policy of the British government appeared to be the supplanting of
French power in the province of Quebec by the promotion of the governor
of Nova Scotia to the governorship of Canada. Sir James Kempt was
the next to follow after Dalhousie in that line of succession. Sir James
was also lieutenant general in the British army. He was sixty-four
years of age when he went to Quebec. It was soon learned at the begin-
ning of his administration that he would pursue a conciliatory course,
which he did throughout his brief term. One of his first acts was to eon-
firm Papineau's election as speaker of the assembly, and he was fairer
to the French element than any other governor they had had since Sir
George Prevost. The assembly therefore treated him with, much more
consideration than they had any of his predecessors.
Clashes and Collapse
However, there was war in the air. On all sides in every hamlet the
popular cries were heard of "Vive Papineau! Vive La Liberie" and
the dream of "La Nation Canadienne" began to impress the patriots as
nearing realization. Everywhere was heard talk of the "Northwest
Republic of Lower Canada" and, further than this, the sight was not
unusual of bodies of men drilling on British soil to tear down the British
flag. It was plain that a clash between the two races was inevitable and
not far away. On November 6th it came; in an encounter between a
party of Englishmen and another of the Sons of Liberty, the French or-
ganization, led by an American named Thomas S. Brown. The royalists
were driven off, but soon returned reinforced only to find that the Sons
of Liberty had disappeared.
Disturbances were frequent, the Loyalists were giving the "rebels"
a "hot time;" the most serious of these collisions being in the parish of
St. Eustache nine miles from Montreal. The insurgents were posted in
a large church who were attacked by two thousand loyalists. The church
and about sixty other buildings were burned, some of the inhabitants
perished in the flames; and their entire loss was about one hundred
killed. The insurrections in neighboring villages were soon quelled ; the
only other contest took place on the last day of February when six hun-
dred refugees under a brother of Wolfred Nelson reerossed the border
from the United States and were met by the militia. They at once went
back to the United States and were com.pelled to surrender by General
Wool, the American commander at Plattsburg.
This was the ending of the dream of "Nation Canadietme." The
whole movement was a failure before it started. It is a most inexplicable
fact, that of the half million French residents of Lower Canada only
two thousand or three thousand gathered to support the rebellion.
Upper Canada Trouble-s
It is also significant that while Lower Canada was encountering re-
bellion Upper Canada was also involved in Civil strife although not so
serious as the other. It is plain that a spirit of mutiny was in the air,
for while it was a race question in Lower Canada it was quite a diiferent
issue in the Upper Province.
It was a period when the government should have been helpful and
conciliatory ; with this course the result would have been very different
in what is now Ontario. The government, for instance forbade the im-
migration of people from the United States to Canada. (That looks
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164 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
very strange these days, when Canada is extending herself to secure
American settlers in the northwest.) It went even farther than that;
it even forbid those Americans who were in Canada, from becoming
naturalized. This unwise measure was discontinued by the next Parlia-
ment which assembled on February 4.
MoNEOE County "Exercised."
Upper Canada troubles continued to disturb the province, and kept
the people on both sides of the boundary in a state of nervous unrest, and
it was during this period that Monroe was more particularly "exercised"
Petty affairs were continually happening on both sides of the border;
and a secret organization called "Hunter's Lodges," sprung up in many
places. These originated with a Canadian insurgent named Hunter,
from York, (now Toronto) who escaped to the United States and insti-
tuted there "Hunter's Lodges" for the express purpose of invading
Canada and driving Great Britain from North America. It is said that
these lodges were favorably regarded among Monroe sympathizers, though
their proceedings and meetings were necessarily handled with great cau-
tion and secrecy. The members were accustomed to resort to various
places to hold conferences, among others the old "Macomb Street House;"
the "Red Light Tavern" an old yellow framed building used as a rather
disreputable "place of entertainment" which stood near the southeast
comer of the Public Square ; also the old ' ' Mulhollen School House ' ' and
the "United States Hotel," an ancient rambling old hostelry kept for
many years by Orry Adams. In these by turns, regularly or otherwise,
the Monroe sympathizers gathered to "talk over" the present situation
and to consult with Hunter, the "promoter" regarding future possibilities
and movements in the approaching "unpleasantness" among the Ca-
nucks. Some of the names of these worthies are remembered by older in-
habitants or found among old records of the newspapers, such as Colonel
Wallace Dodge, Jarvis Eldred, Austin Dean, lehabod "White, Captain
John Wood, "Jim" Cunningham, Bill McQuillan and others; strange
to say, considering the ostensible motive for this movement but very few
of our French citizens, if any, took any part in it. They were possibly
aolicited to do so, but they evidently regarded the "derangement" over
the border as a "local issue" to be fought out by the Canadians, and cared
not to interfere.
Battle of Pointe au Pelee
One of the last engagements that took place in this "international
farce," was known, and shall be known in history, as the "Battle of
Pointe au Pelee," which occurred on the 3rd of March, and was fought
on the ice of Lake Erie. Colonel Edwin Bradly was in command of the
Patriot forces whose statement of the action is probably the only one that
was ever made. It exists in the collection of a gentleman of Toledo, (or
possibly a copy) which is given below :" At daybreak, the enemy, (about
nine hundred British regulars) was discovered a few miles from our
encampment at the head of the island. The main body of their force
(about seven hundred) was marched down quietly in front; this left
some two hundred, flanking oit in the direction of the lighthouse at
North Point, and their right, consisting of British regulars, in sleighs and
on horseback were pushing on with great speed along the west side of the
island to gain our rear, for the purpose of cutting off our retreat should
the main force succeed in driving us from our position. After closely
examining the force and disposition of the enemy, I did not think it pru-
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 165
dent to await the attack of the main body. The men were therefore in-
stantly mustered, and filed off towards the southern end of the island, a
distance of seven miles, to meet and fight the regular force which had al-
ready gained our rear. This was effected as speedily as circumstances
would admit. When we arrived in view of this force which consists of
about three hundred and fifty heavy infantry and seventy-five well
mounted cavalry, drawn up in battle array on the ice, one and a half miles
from shore, in the direction of Middle Island — as we had no time to pause
in consequence of the rapid approach of the enemy's main force — I gave
instant orders to form in line of battle, which were promptly obeyed by
officers and men. When all was in readiness the line moved forward with
a firm and unflinching resolution worthy of tried veterans, and advanced
within half musket shot of the enemy when they opened a tremendous
fire upon our whole line, checking its progress, and compelling us to com-
mence the action at a greater distance than we had at first intended.
Nevertheless, (some of our troops having fired without orders) to pre-
vent confusion it was thought proper that the action should become
general. For half an hour we sustained the shock of three times our num-
ber of British regular troops, twice throwing them into confusion, break-
ing their ranks, and strewing the battle ground with their dead and
wounded. All this time the men remained firm, the ranks unbroken and
all determined to continue the contest. The near approach, however of
the main force in our rear induced some of the men to leave the ranks,
in spite of their officers' efforts to prevent them.
"Still the battle was continued by a few of the men until the greater
part of the troops had retired to the island, where ail assembled to de-
liberate upon the best means of escape. It was concluded to cross over
to the west side of the island and under its cover retreat, which was
safely effected, although the enemy's cavalry being continually on our
flank and rear.
"I was ably seconded in all my efforts during the engagement by
Colonel Ward, Major Lawton and Adjutant Olney, who fought with a
bravery unequaled in modern warfare. It is with pain and regret that
I announce the fall of Major Hoadley and Captain Van Rensselaer. The
former displayed a coolness during the whole engagement worthy of a
better fate. His memory should be engraven on the hearts of his country-
men. Other" officers conducted themselves with unexampled bravery.
None were willing to give up the contest till compelled by the superior
force of the enemy.
"Our loss is one major, one captain and eight privates killed; one
captain and fifteen privates wounded, and three taken prisoners. The
enemy's loss, from the best information received, is Major McCormick
and other oflScers (names unknown) , and from fifty to sixty rank and file
killed, and seventy-five wounded. I will further state that we numbered
just one hundred and fifty on the morning of the engagement, officers
included.
"A Frenchman who was the owner and driver of the teams which
carried the enemy from Maiden to Point au Pelee, afterwards informed
me that fifty-eight of the enemy were killed and seventy-five wounded
in this action. A similar movement from the Michigan side was made
by the ' ' Patriot ' ' forces to Fighting Island in the Detroit River, where an
engagement took place February 25th." This is described by the Detroit
Free Press on the following day in the following report: "Yesterday
the war commenced in or near Canada. On Sunday P. M. the Patriot
forces, which had been lurking in small and detached squiids at various
points between Toledo and Gibralter, collected on the American shore,
opposite Fighting Island, belonging to the British, their number amount-
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166 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
iug to between two hundred and three hundred, without arms, except
five or six muskets and a small field piece mounted on two rails. In this
condition, after receiving and cheering a patriotic speech from General
McLeod, who commanded theiu, they crossed (on the ice) and took pos-
session of the island. They did not, we understand, intend to cross until
their arms, which were undoubtedly delayed, had been received ; but they
were forced immediately to abandon the American territory, in order to
evade the civil authorities, which, aided by the United States troops,
were in close pursuit of them. In the course of the night, about fifty
stands of arms were conveyed to them on the island. About daylight
yesterday morning, the British troops opened a fire on them with grape-
shot from the Canadian shore. After receiving two or three shots and
returning as many, the islanders retreated in confusion to the American
shore with three wounded — one severely, and two slightly. At the shore
they were met by the United States troops, who arrested and disarmed
them as fast as they landed. The British troops took possession of the
island as soon as it was evacuated. We have seen and conversed with one
of the men who was on Fighting Island, and who informs us that they
were assured by their officers that five hundred men had crossed into
Canada below Maiden from Sandusky. This is the prevalent belief here,
as heavy cannonading was heard during the forenoon of yesterday in
that direction. Our informant says he knows of no other force in this
quarter which has been preparing to enter Canada except that with
which he was connected on Fighting Island, and that which is supposed
to have gone over from Sandusky."
Thus ended the belligerent action of the "Patriot "War," and the
crazy attempts of an unoi^nized force of undisciplined men to ac-
complish what must have been seen, by cooler minds, as an impossibility.
The "sympathizers" and volunteers met with varying experiences after
the collapse. Some reached their homes in safety ; the prisoner captured
by the British met with harsh treatment and imprisonment, some with
death in various forms, and some were banished to the colonies of Great
Britain and were never afterwards heard from. The actual participation
by Monroe in the hostilities is told in a few words by a participator:
"Colonel Henry Smith, a retired officer of the United States army, who
had seen service in the Black Hawk war, and once attached to General
Scott's staff, upon the call of Governor Mason, organized a company of
volunteers in Monroe county which increased to a part of a regiment
numbering four hundred or five hundred men, and marched with them
to Gibralter, which was the headquarters of the Patriot forces, to be in
readiness for such events as might develop. After some weeks of 'occu-
pation' they were relieved from duty, their services not being required
After the conclusion of the 'war' a public meeting was held, presided
over by Lucius Knapp, and Walton W. Murphy being secretary, when
the following resolution was adopted.
■ "Resolved, that the thanks of the Monroe volunteers called out by
Colonel Henry Smith, upon the requisition of Governor Stevens T. Mason
to preserve the neutrality of the government between the United States
and Great Britain, be presented to Colonel Henry Smith for his generous
treatment of the volunteers, while on duty at Gibralter."
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CHAPTER XV
THE BLACK HAWK WAR
Black Hawk Crosses the Mississippi — Opposed by Territorial Vol-
- iTNTEERs— Black Hawk Captured — Another Account op the-
Wak.
The short-lived Elaek Hawk war really does not enter into the his-
tory of Monroe County any farther than it concerns its relations to the
stirring events of Michigan during its efforts to establish itself as a
commonwealth on a basis of solid and permanent honor, dignity and re-
spectability. As a matter of fact it concerned Wisconsin more inti-
mately, which was at that time a part of the territory of Michigan.
Black Hawk Crosses the Mississippi
Black Hawk was a chief of the Sac tribe of Indians, who had been
moved beyond the Mississippi, and who by repeated underat an dings and
after many vexatious "Big Talks" and conventions with United States
authorities had agreed to stay there on their own lands and cease their
annoyances to the new settlers. Early in the spring of 1832 Black
Hawk came across the river with a band of Sacs and Foxes, committing
depredations in northern HIinois and southern Wisconsin,
Opposed by Territorial Volunteers
This being a part of the territory of Michigan it became her duty
to repel these invasions and Colonel Henry Dodge was commissioned to
raise a force of territorial volunteers. The governor of Illinois sent up
a force on April 27 under General Whiteside, consisting of eighteen
hundred men to the mouth of Rock river. From St. Louis General
Atkinson moved up in April with a force of United States troops.
Colonel Dodge having taken measures to prevent mischief from the
Winnebagoes and other doubtful Michigan Indians entered vigorously
upon a decisive campaign.
Black Hawk Captured
Many sharp fights took place during the spring and summer, and on
the 2d of August the last battle was fought, in which Colonel Dodge
and Colonel Zaehary Taylor, afterwards President of the United States,
had command in the advance and in which the Indian forces were almost
completely annihilated ; Black Hawk was taken prisoner and for several
months confined in Fortress Monroe, until in 1833 he was taken out of
that fort and conveyed under guard back to the Mississippi. He had
been taught a very salutary lesson, one that made a deep impression
upon his mind, with the result that during the remaining seven years
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168 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
of his life he behaved himself with propriety and caused no further
trouble. When first captured he was taken to Jefferson barracks, In-
diana, in charge of a small detachment, commanded by Lieutenant Jef-
ferson Davis, U. S. A., afterwards President of the Southern Con-
federacy.
Although intelligent and having some grievance against the whites
through bad usage by the traders and agents, Black Hawk was by no
means one of the better types of Indians. The Sacs and Foxes had a
bad reputation when the French first came to Michigan and it clung
to them with just tenacity. The chief's own story proves him to have
been treacherous and of mean instincts'. He was an old man, past three
score, when this last war broke out, and was in the British interest so
.long as they provided for him.
Another Account of the War
The facts in the foregoing are taken mainly from Judge Campbell's
"Outlines of Political History of Michigan." Another writer in the
Detroit Free Press of a much later date has given an account that dif-
fers materially from this. Without investigation, to confirm the ac-
curacy of either writer, both accounts are now printed, the latter being
more eireurastantial : "On the breaking out of the war Governor Mason
directed General Williams to march with the First Regiment of Militia
to the seat of war, which regiment, under command of Colonel Edward
Brooks, a veteran of the battle of the Thames river, started at once for
Chicago and proceeded as far as Saline — General "Williams accompany-
ing it— where an express from Gfovernor Mason overtook it with orders
to return, but for General Williams and staff to proceed to Chicago. The
regiment was ordered to return by way of Ann Arbor and there report
to General Brown, who was in command of troops there. Arriving at
Ann Arbor it was met by aiiother express, with orders to proceed to
Chicago, and while preparing to march by still another express, with
orders to return, except a company of dragoons, commanded by Cap-
tain Charles Jackson, which was to proceed to Chicago and report to
General Williams, which it did — by which it will be seen that "Gen-
eral Williams was in command of the Michigan troops in that cam-
paign," and that "General Brown was in command of the Michigan
contingent in the Black Hawk war."
"In this connection permit me to say something in regard to the
military spirit of one of Detroit's brave and heroic sons, Thomas Wil-
liams, son of Major General John R. Williams, who on the breaking out
of the Black Hawk war was fourth corporal in the' City Guards, an
organized independent infantry company— the first in Michigan — which
formed part of the First Regiment. When the Guards were ordered
back Thomas joined the dragoons and went to Chicago, and on arriving
there news had just been received that the Indians were massacreing
the settlers at Napier settlement, some miles beyond. Thomas joined a
party of volunteers under Colonel Brooks, and went to their rescue that
night, arriving at daybreak next morning.
"Colonel Brooks having accompanied General Williams to Chicago,
the detachment under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan D.
Davis, of Plymouth, returned by way of Plymouth, where it encamped
over night. Arriving at Detroit, it camped on the common, near the
Capitol, where they were feasted with fresh meat and vegetables, the
first they had on the march. The only rations dealt to them were salt
pork and hard tack, nor were they provided with either tent, blanket
or camp equipage of any kind. As a substitute for blankets, many of
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 169
the City Guards had green Scotch plaid cloaks — then the prevailing
fashion — which, when strapped on their knapsacks, gave the company
the appearance of Highlanders. While at Ann Arbor, after the order to
return was countermanded. Captain Isaac S. Rowland of the Guards
contracted for camp utensils and tents, to pay for which the men con-
tributed, some putting up their watches in pledge. Another express
with orders to return having arrived, the contracts were cancelled and
the merchants who furnished materials very kindly took them back.
The troops were discharged the day after their arrival in Detroit, but
were not paid until some months after, and never received land war-
rants as allowed other troops called into service in that war. The ranks
of the City Guard were so decimated by protracted disease and death,
resulting from camping without tents in woods during heavy rains, and
want of proper food, that the company never reorganized afterward."
The two accounts illustrate the possible wide divergence of two his-
torians writing upon the same topic, concerning the same events described
by each.
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CHAPTER XVI
IN THE MEXICAN WAR
Ri;pTUBE ovEK Texas — United States Ci-aims Unsettled— American
Troops Move to the Frontier — War Declared — Response op
Michigan and Monroe County — Soldiers from Monroe County,
One of the most important topics which claimed the attention of the
administration of President James Knox Polk, the tenth President of the
United States, was the annexation of Texas. On the last day of his offi-
cial term, his predecessor, President John Tyler, had sent a messenger
to the Texan goyernment with a copy of the joint resolutions of the
American congress in favor of annexation. These were considered by a
convention of delegates called for the purpose of forming a state constitu-
tion for Texas ; that body approved of the measure by resolution on July
4, 1845; on that day Texas became one of the states of the American
union.
Rupture over Texas
As had been foreseen and predicted, this act caused an immediate
rupture between the United States and Mexico; for the latter claimed
Texas as a part of its territory ; notwithstanding the fact that its indepen-
dence had been acknowledged by the United States, England, France and
other governments. On March 6, 1845, congress had adopted the joint
resolution for the admission of Texas into the union, General Almonto,
the Mexican minister at "Washington formerly protested against that
measure and demanded his passports. On the 4th of June following.
General Ilerrera, President of Mexico, issued a proclamation declaring
the rights of Mexico and his determination to defend them — by arms, if
_ necessary.
United States Claims Unsettled
But independent of the cause complained of, there already existed a
cause for serious disputes between the United States and Mexico. Ever
since the establishment of republican government by the latter in 1824,
it had been an amazing, unjust and injurious neighbor. Impoverished
by civil wars, its authorities did not hestitate to replenish its treasury
by plundering American vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, and by confis-
cating the property of American merchants within its borders. The
United States had repeatedly remonstrated against this vicious pro-
ceedure, wholly in vain, until in 1831 a treaty was formed and promises
of redress made. Nevertheless, a^ressive conduct continued until in
1840, it was estimated that the amount of property belonging to Amer-
icans which had been appropriated by Mexico reached a total of
$6,000,000.
The claim of the United States for this amount still remained unset-
tled when the annexation of Texas occurred in July, 1845, and when
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 171
peaceful relations between the two governments were suspended. The
Pr^ident being fully aware of the hostile feelings of the Mexic-ans,
ordered General Taylor, then in command of troops in the southwest,
to proceed to Texas and take a position as near the Rio Grande as
prudence would allow. This army, about 1500 strong, was called the
"Army of Occupation," for the defense of Texas. At the same time a
strong squadron under Commodore Conner, sailed for the Gulf of
Mexico, to protect American interests there. The progress of events
was not rapid, but of such a character as to preclude the possibility of
avoiding war.
Wak Declared
When Congress instructed the President to declare war against
Mexico, and the first blood had been shed, the news spread over the
entire country, and the people were thoroughly aroused, which increased
rather than diminished after the first two brilliant victories of our armies.
On the 23d of May, the Mexican government made a formal declaration
of war against the United States, authorized the President to raise
50,000 volunteers and appropriated $10,000,000 towards carrying on the
contest. While there was considerable difference of opinion in the
United States about the acquisition of Texas, there was none in regard
to the duty of Americans to maintain their country against, the assaults
of her enemies and the patriotism of the people was never more con-
spicuously manifested.
Response op Michig.vn' and Monroe County
The call of the War Department upon Michigan for an enrollment
of volunteers was promptly responded to, and thirteen independent
companies of militia at once volunteered. Of these, eleven were infantry
and two cavalry. Four of the former were Detroit organizations, two
were from Monroe, three from Lenawee county, and one each from Ber-
rien, St. Clair and Hillsdale. These composed the First Regiment of
Michigan volunteers, which was rapidly put into shape and fully
equipped for immediate service, and proceeded to the seat, of war.
Their route was to Monroe by steamboat, where they disembarked
and marched through the city from the docks to the comer of Monroe
and Front streets, where the officers were entertained at the old Amer-
ican House, kept by N. Hubble, and the private soldiers remained "at
rest" along the two streets, and were served with a hearty lunch by
the city.
Soldiers pkom Monroe County
The occasion was one of great interest in the small town — and is
well remembered by older citizens— who observed for the first time in
their lives, the blue uniformed, stalwart soldiers in all the "panoply of
war" on the march to the field of active military operations against a
foreign enemy.
The Monroe companies in the regiment came in for special attention
from the Monroe people and were sent forward with cheers and enthu-
siastic "God speeds." The record of this body of troops is a credit to
the state which sent them, and in this Monroe claims full share. Three
companies of the Fifteenth Regiment United States Infantry were not-
able for their battle records, the last named being commanded by Cap-
tain F»azey M. Winans of Monroe, and was chosen as headquarters
guard for their exceptionally fine soldierly bearing. The roster of this
gallant troop has been carefully preserved as it existed when the com-
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172 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
pany was mustered out after the close of tlie war in Covington, Ken-
tuciiy, August, 1848, as is hereto appended :
Frazey M. Winans, capt, dis. July 20, 1848.
Hira G. Eastman, 1st lieut., res. May 31, 1847.
Thornton F. Brodhead. Ist lieut., pro, eapt. December 22, 1847.
Samuel E. Beach, 1st lieut., m. o. with company.
William D. Wilkins, 2d lieut., trans, to Co. F.
Michael P. Doyle, 2d lieut., died October 23, 1847.
Gfeorge F. Hooper, 2d lieut., m. o. with company.
Thomas S. Trask, 2d lieut., m. o. with company.
Bbenezer Legro, 1st, serg., trans, to Newport Barracks July 26, 1848.
"William Inglis, serg., dis. November 24, 1847, disab.
Augustus D. Burdino, serg., dis. March 24, 1848, disability.
Julius "Waltz, serg., trans, to Newport Barracks July 26, 1848.
Alexander Porter, serg., trans, to Newport Barracks July 26, 1848.
Bachus T. Winehell, serg., m, o. with company.
Rush "Winehell, eorp., died September 29, 1847.
John Graham, corp., left sick in Mexico, February 1, 1848.
Alexander Lawrence, corp., m. o. with company.
Ephraim Marble, corp., m. o. with company.
Cyrus Teal, jr., corp., m. o. with company.
George Hewitt, musician, m. o. with company.
"William H. Teal, musician, m. o. with company.
Ephraim Allen, private, m. o. with company.
Geoi^e P. Amidon, private, m. o. with company.
Samuel Anderson, private, m. o. with company.
Joseph Adams, private, died September 2, 1847.
John W. Allen, private, deserted April 30, 1847.
Peter Boland, private, left sick at New Orleans July 12, 1848.
Jonathan "W. Bardwell, private, m. o. with company.
Hiram W. Bartholemew, private, m. o. with company.
Alexander Bissinett, private, died July 20, 1848.
Frederick Baum, private, ra. o. with company.
Richard Bray, private, left sick at New Orleans July 12, 1848.
John Belford, private, left sick in Mexico, February 5, 1848.
"William Bailey, private, left at Vera Cruz (on extra duty since July
6, 1847).
Artimus D. Baird, private, died January 16, 1848.
Harvey Bastard, private, died March 12, 1848.
Battraw Bissinett, private, died July 2, 1848.
Franklin Brainard, private, died July 8, 1848.
Jason Bennett, private, deserted July 15, 1847.
Harmon Cone, private, m. o. with company.
Alexander B. Coleman, private, m. o. with company.
William Crum, private, m. o. with company.
Alanson Crandall, private, died August 25, 1847.
Charles Cabicha, private, dis. April 20, 1848, disab.
Thomas Coniffe, private, dis. July 24, 1847, expiration of eidistment.
William C. Deming, private, left sick at Perote, October 6, 1847.
Felix Dingmaii, private, m. o. with company.
James M. Darling, private, m. o. with company.
Israel Drew, private, m. o. with company.
, Clark Dickinson, private, died August 27, 1847.
Contractions: dis., discharged; disab., i^ i sable d ; in. o., mustered out; trans..
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 173
Thomas Dailey, private, dis. August 22, 1847, expiration of enlistment.
Peter Englehardt, private, m. o. with company,
John Bifler, private, trans, to Newport Barracks July 26, 1848.
John Ford, private, left siek in Mexico February 1, 1848.
James Fitch, private, m. o. with company.
John F. Foster, private, left sick at Perote, October 6, 1847.
Charles K. FuUerton, private, dis. July 6, 1848, disab.
Simon Gimple, private, m. o. with company,
Joseph Glevanz, private, m. o. with company.
Daniel Grant, private, in. o. with company.
Jacob Gilbert, private, died July 14, 1848.
Elijah M. Gates, private, died September 4, 1847.
Henry S. Hath, private, m. o. with company.
Jonathan C. W. Holliday, private, m. o. with company.
Edward Hunt, private, m. o. with company.
John W. Hughes, private, in. o. with company.
John Hubbin, private, died May A, 1848.
Jacob Hemstret, private, died August 28, 1847.
John Houvert, private, trans, to Newport Barracks July 26, 1848.
Francis Jackson, private, m. o. with company.
Otis Johnson, private, m. o. with company.
Robert Johnson, private, m. o. with company.
Lafayette Ingersoll, private, deserted June 3, 1848.
Nelson Kendall, private, m. o. with company.
Ignatius Klevantz, private, m. o. with company.
BarteL Klotz, private, ra. ,o. with company.
John Kick, private, m. o. with company.
George Knecht, private, m. o. with company.
Samuel Klingman, private, died March 19, 1848.
Joshua Kline, private, died September 27, 1847.
Frederick Kirchner, private, died August 26, 1847.
Caspar Knecht, private, died June 27, 1847.
Lewis Knecht, private, dis., November 25, 1847.
John Knill, private, died July 12, 1848.
Henry J. Lorenz, private, m. o. with company.
John F. Lusk, private, m. o. with company.
Geo. Lanman, private, trans, to Newport Barracks July 26, 1848.
Abel Milligan, private, m. o. with company.
John Manbardt, private, m. o. with company.
Moses Milligan, private, m. o. with company.
Benjamin Meigs, private, m. o. with company.
Robert J. Meigs, private, m. o. with company.
Robert Moody, private, m. o. with company.
James Murphy, private, m. o. with company.
John Movers, private, left siek at Perote July 1, 1847.
Patrick Murray, private, left sick at Mexico City February ] , 1848.
Antoine Miron, private, died Augimt 27, 1847.
John Morris, private, died July 15, 1848.
Johannes Marsehal, private, dis. April, 1848.
William AIcLaughlin, private, m. o. with company.
Eaton MeNair, private, m. o. with company.
Thomas McMannus, private, ra. o. with company.
Virgil McCormick, private, m. o. with company.
William McDonald, private, m. o. with company.
Jno. McDonald, private, died November 3, 1847.
Jas. 0 'Brien, private, died September 30, 1847.
Barnliard Obala, private, m. o. with company.
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174 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Wm. M. Osbom, private, died March 15, 1848.
Dennis 0 'Sullivan, private, deserted June 26, 1847.
Chas. A. Opperman, private, trans, to Newport Barracks.
Mascina W, Powers, private, ni. o. with company.
Isaac Regal, private, m. o. with company.
John Rise, private, m. o. with company.
Timothy Rodd, private, m, o. with company.
Daniel M. Ross, private, m. o. with company.
John Robinson, private, m. o. with company.
Wra. Richardson, private, m. o. with company.
John Renz, private, died January 21, 1848;
Wm. C. Seeley, private, m. o. with company,
Aaron Shew, private, m. o. with company.
Samuel Shepard, private, m. o. with company.
Oliver Stone, private, m. o. with company.
AVm. Sumner, private, m. o. with company.
Harvey Smith, private, m. o. with company.
Jas. W. Stout, private, m. o. with company.
Wm. M. Warner, private, m, o. with company.
Jos. Walbert, private, m. o. with company.
Samuel Wooden, private, m. o. with company.
Edward Waddle, private, deserted July 15, 1847.
Martin White, private, deserted April 30, 1847.
ilichael Yenger, private, left siek at New Orleans.
Lafayette Seegur, private, died July 23, 1848.
Jos. Stewart, private, dis. July 25, 1848.
it would be gratifying to be able to follow the fortunes of these
brave Michigan men through the exciting events of the Mexican war, and
to note their brilliant achievements in the field, in their participation in
the actions with other victorious commands at the City of Mexico, at
Cherubusco, at Cerro Gordo, at National Bridge, at Contreras; engage-
ments which stand upon the records of the United States Army as among
the most noteworthy and brilliant in its annals, but it is impossible to do
so in the limited space allotted to this narrative. There are four events,
however, of such momentus importance and instances of such gallantry
in the performance of duty as to challenge the attention. One of these
is the demonstration at Molinos del Rey {the King's Mills) near Chepul-
tepec, when less than four thousand of Americans attacked fourteen
thousand Mexicans, under General Santa Anna, a most desperate and
bloody engagement followed, in which, after an hour's terrific fighting,
the victory was won by our troops — both sides losing heavily. On the
2d of February, 1848, a treaty of peace was concluded between the United
States and the provisional president of Mexico, at Guadaloupe, and
confirmed by both governments, which was proclaimed by President
Polk on July 4, 1848. It stipulated that the American army should
evacuate Mexico within three months ; the payment of $3,000,000 in cash
at once, and $12,000,000 in four equal installments by the United States
to Mexico, for the the territory acquired by conquest. It also fixed
boundaries and adjusted other matters in dispute.
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CHAPTER XVII
THE CIVIL WAR
First Wae Meetings in County — The Smith Guards of Monroe —
List of Volunteers — Total Enlistments in County — Fourth
Michigan Inpantry^Seventh Regiment — Enlistment op July,
1862 — Mulligan (Fifteenth) Regiment — The Seventeenth
(Stonewall) Regiment — Eighteenth Michigan Infantry — The
Grand Army of the Republic.
Civil war burst upon the Uoited States with almost the suddenness
of a meteor's flash, yet as like the eruption of the volcano whose pent
up fires had been gathering force for the final explosion. The enthu-
siasm with which the whole north arose, in this crisis, all party differ-
ences being merged in enthusiastic devotion to the Union is one of the
most extraordinary events in history.
It may be questioned whether, since the crusades, such a popular
uprising was ever before witnessed ; an uprising, not of ignorant masses,
but of highly intelligent men, from every walk of life and of every
class of society, rushing as volunteers into the ranks, ready to sacrifice
property, all their material interests, even life itself, in behalf of their
country. It was a magnificent spectacle of patriotism. Within the space
of a few months there were over six hundred thousand men arrayed
under the Stars and Stripes, ready to endure any hardship or to meet
any of the perils of war; and of all tbese there was not one in those
ranks who were there except by their own volition. All were volunteers.
The booming of the first gun that was fired on Port Sumter, had
hardly ceased when the military spirit of the nation was thoroughly
aroused. Though the overt act of war on the part of the South was not
unexpected, yet the loyal people of the country were electrified by the
reality of actual war, which now seemed to rear its dread front on the
peaceful plains of this prosperous country and threaten the very fabric
of our constitutional government. Michigan soldiers were among the
verj' first to offer their services in support of the Union ; among those
found in the fore front of battle, they were also among the last to leave
the field after the last rebel had laid down his arms. None among Michi-
gan soldiers were more prompt in their action, nor more patriotic in
their devotion than the men from Monroe county; none have written
their names higher on the roll of fame, and none shine with a more
resplendent glory. The state has nobly taken care to perpetuate the
memories of her soldiers, and to properly care for the children and the
helpless who were made so by the fortunes of war.
It would be a grateful and pleasant task to follow our brave soldiers
through every campaign, to tell the story of their heroism and recount
their deeds of valor, and to be with them in the excitement and elation
of victory, and the rewards of their achievements. But in the limits of
this work, it will be apparent to all that this would be impossible; so
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176 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
we must rest content with an outline of the part whieh was taken by
the soldiers of Bloni'oe and county, wliieli is worthy to be preseryed in
a history of its people.
First War Meetings in the County
The immediate effects in Monroe, of the attack on Fort Sumter was
to call together at a public meeting of citizens at the court house, pur-
suant to action taken at an impromptu gathering at the Humphrey
House on the evening of April 15, 1861. The court room was filled to
its utmost capacity by an interested and enthusiastic throng. The meet-
ing was organized by the election of the following officers r
President, Hon. Warner Wing.
Vice Presidents: — Hon. Roderick O'Connor, Colonel J. R. Smith, U.
S. A., Christopher Bruckner, Capt. A. I). Perkins, Hon. F. Waldorf,
Hon. Laurent Durocher, Eev. E. J. Boyd, General Levi S. Humphrey,
Dr. Ephraim Adams, Major Gershom T. Bulkley, Capt. Geo. W. Strong,
Rev. E. J. Boyd, II. B, Marvin, Major Frasey M. Winans.
Secretaries:— S. G. Clarke, J. R. Ranch, T. S. Clarke.
The committee on resolutions through the chairman, Hon. Edward
G. Morton presented the following:
"Whereas, Civil war and all its deplorable consequences have sud-
denly burst upon the nation, and the constitutional government of the
country is attacked, its authority set at defiance, and its flag insulted
in a portion of the Union, for the avowed purpose of overthrowing the
same ; and,
"Whereas, Those who have thus wantonly provoked hostilities have
trampled upon the constitution, which guaranteed to all the high prin-
ciples of a free government, and under which all real grievances may
be redressed and the liberties of the people perpetuated; therefore,
"Resolved, That we, citizens of Monroe county, of all political parties,
cordially unite to uphold the Government of the couufry and pledge
ourselves to stand by the constitution and the legal authorities under
it, and to aid them in protecting and defending the same, in the spirit
and with the determination manifested by our fathers of the Revolution.
"Resolved, That we deeply deplore the steps hastily taken by a
portion of the Southern people to destroy the best government on earth,
and the confidence of the world in the ability of man for self control,
and we cannot believe that this suicidal work meets the approbation
of thousands of our conservative and law-abiding brethren of the South,
and borne down by a mob whose usurpations and lawless aims threaten
the country with anarchy and despotism ; and that we feel it to he our
imperative duty as the friends of liberty, law and stable government
to resist with all our power their treasonable purpose, in order to main-
tain and perpetuate the liberties we enjoy as a people."
These resolutions were adopted amid emphatic demonstrations of
approval and addresses followed from Hon. I. R. Grosvenor, Hon. E. G.
Morton, Col. J. R. Smith, Wm. H. Boyd, Edwin Wiilitts, Hon. Frank-
lin Johnson, and others, who expressed the sentiments of their hearers
at the prospect of a blood deluged country and a crippled government,
through the acts of disloyalty, of those who should be one with their
brethren of the North in sustaining all the principles and policies which
underlie the fabric of the nation ; at the same time pledging themselves to
faithfully uphold at any cost the government founded by Washington,
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 177
and existing under our Constitution. The enthusiasm did not "flatten
out" after the ebullition of feeling under the first strong excitement,
but steps were at onee taken to get into line, and "keep step to the
music of the Union."
The most practical proof was the organization of a military com-
pany among the young men of the city and vicinity, which was promptly
done, and active drilling of the company begun.
The Smith Guards op Monroe
The organization of the military enrolled in this city was perfected
on April 29, 1861, when the following officers were elected: Captain,
Constant Luce ; First Lieutenant, John M. Oliver ; Second Lieutenant,
A. M. Rose ; Third Lieutenant, Isaac Diffenbaugh.
By resolution, unanimously adopted, the name of "Smith Guards"
was chosen for the company in honor of General Joseph R. Smith, U.
S. A., a veteran of the Mexican War, and a highly esteemed resident
of Monroe, whose services in future drills and instruction of the company
in the duties and military discipline of soldiers were to be of the
utmost value. On May 29, 1861, the company was ordered into camp
at Adrian ajid prepared for immediate departure to join the regiment
forming at that place. A fine stand of colors was presented to the com-
pany by the ladies of Monroe, in the midst of a vast concourse of people
assembled at the public square. The citizens of Monroe had previously
equipped the company with a very attractive uniform of gray cloth re-
sembling the color of the "West Point Cadets and by a striking coinci-
dence, the same color adopted by the Confederate army. The following
is a complete list of officers and privates of the Smith Guards, after-
wards to be known as Company A, Fourth Regiment, Michigan Infantry ;
Captain, C. Luce; first lieutenant, John M. Oliver; second lieuten-
ant, A, M. Rose; third lieutenant, I. Diffenbaugh.
First sergeant, George Spaulding ; second sergeant, George Bradford :
third sergeant, John Adams; fourth sergeant, J. Redfield; fifth ser-
geant, Cornelius Paulding.
First corporal, W. C. Paulding; second corporal, A. II. Bowen
third corporal, F. B. Gale; fourth corporal, R, R. Lassey.
Privates: Frank Benderifter, John B. "Whipple, B. P. Nelson, A
Benson, H. Gravit, E. C. Stoddard, John Fornier, R. Sorter, G. W.
Beeman, Wm. Watkins, John Bisonette, G. W. Olney, Wm. Lassey, G.
W. Owen, S. Bissonette. Alfred E. Bates, J. F. Hoffman, W. Knaggs
John Disher, S. S. Couture, Elroy Cicott, John Whife, E. M. Billings,
J. Susor, C. Bisbee, "W. C. Brown. Chas. H. Ladd, G. E. Choate, Geo.
Grueneisen, W. C. "Watson, H. L. Stoddard, J. Kittle, H. Robinso
Duffield, T. Nowlan. "Wm. H. Gibson, John "Walter, F. Godfroy, C. Thur-
lack, S. S. Parker, C. Downing, S. M. Kidder, J. Charter, G. Kempf,
F. Spath, C. Brunner, S. R. Carney, "W'. Olson, E. Ross, J. Dickinson,
W. H. Eaton, X. Gagnier, J. Conlin, C. F. Austin, Harry Kendall,
C. Teehout, L. F. Ciseo, J. Heald. "Wm. Stewart, Isaac Navarre, E. M.
Avery, A. Mosher, N. E. Baker, J. Robert, W. Prince, J. Chase, J,
Hinsdale, Jesse Root, E, Woodward, J. Leonard, Wm. H. Duffield, Sher-
man D. Plues, L. Wagner, G. D. Paul, A. Taylor, A. R. Knobe, E.
Bronson, A. Guyor, M. W. Hall, C. A. Wells, H. Ansel, Wm. Boobey,
D. Henderson, P. Herman, S. Mosher, T. Leonard, Theo. Haberfelder
and J. Turner.
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178 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
List of Volunteers
The labor of compiling the records of Monroe county in the Civil
War was one requiring a thorough examination of the voluminous
records of the adjutant general's office to ascertain the names and
total number of enlistments in the Michigan regiment and to separate
those which were from our county ; these were scattered throughout the
rolls, and a careful and laborious research was necessary to select and
tabulate the names and residences of volunteers from the county ; even
then, we do not obtain the names of those who enlisted in the regiments
of other states, which would materially swell the total number. The
number of volunteers from the state, during the four years of the war,
in the different arms of the service, was 90,747 ; which, divided as to
nationality were : of the United States, 67,468 ; British Columbia, in-
eluding Canada 8,886 ; natives of European countries, 14,393. At that
time the total population of the state was 805,319, and of Monroe county,
22,221. This record is believed to be correct, both as to the names of
the men, and their regimental history and final disposition, making reas-
onable allowances for misspelling of names, which has sometimes oc-
curred, and possible omissions. The adjutant general's report for 1862
states: "The ordinary records of enlistments furnish no information
of the residence of volunteers, and it became necessary to procure this
information from the regiments in the field. The difficulty and delay
attending this labor, especially in such a period of active service as
existed during the summer months will be readily understood. In the
cases of the old regiments the casualties of months or a year of active
service had taken from the ranks hundreds of men whose names were
on the rolls, and whose residence it was sought to determine." It can
be conceived that it was under some circumstances frequently impos-
sible to secure positive data, but another serious defect exists in relation
to the history of some of the men, by the use of the term in official re-
ports "missing in action," which explanation often proved very imreli-
able and unsatisfactory.
It is therefore with a feeling of great responsibility that this impor-
tant and interesting record is incorporated in this history and for which
due acknowledgment has been made in the author's introduction. Monroe
county gloriously established her record for patriotism of the highest
type, and her soldiers' names are written high on the roll of fame.
Abbreviations — The following are the words abbreviated in the ros-
ters: Adjt,, adjutant; asst., assistant; bat., battery; cav., cavalry; cap.,
captured; col., colonel; capt., captain; corp., corporal; co., company;
dis., discharged; disab., disability; e., enlisted; exp., expiration; gen.,
general; H. A., heavj- artillery; inf., infantry; lieut-., lieutenant; m, o.,
mustered out; pro., promoted; res., resigned; sergt., sergeant; surg.,
surgeon; trans,, transferred; U. S. V., United States Volunteers; vet.,
veteran or vet craned.
Adams, James F., 2d lieut. 15th Inf., e. Jan. 1, 1862 ; pro. capt. Oct.
1, 1862; wounded in action at Corinth, Miss., Oct. 1, 1862; res. Mar. 4,
1863.
Adams, John Q., 2d lieut. 15th Inf.; e. Jan. 27, 1862: pro. capt. Oct.
1, 1862;res. June 18, 1864.
Anderson, John C., Monroe; e. Oct. 21, 1861; sergt. co. D, 7th Inf.;
pro, 2d lieut. Dec. 18, 1864 ; m. o. July 5, 1865.
Antrian, Patrick, Monroe ; e. March 10, 1863 ; sergt. co. D, 9th Cav. ;
pro. 2d lieut. Oct. 26, 1864 ; not mustered as an officer ; dis. July 21, 1 865.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY l79
Avery, Amos I., LaSalle; 1st lieut. 11th Cav,, Aug. 1, 1863; res. Oct.
11, 1864.
Allen, Linteii R, co. A, 4(h Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 27, 1862.
Austin, Charles F., no. A, 4tli Inf.; killed at Malvern Hill, Va.,
July 1, 1862.
Ansel, Henry J., co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 30, 1864.
Austin, Lorenzo D., co. G, 4th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Oct. 27, 1862.
Anteau, Patrick, co. D, 7tli Inf.
Arnold, James H., co. D., 7th Inf.
Arnold, Thomas, co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service Ang. 22, 1864.
Anderson, John C, co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dee. 18,
I86;i
Ahernethy, Alexander, eo. D, 7th Inf.
Armstrong, Oscar E., eo. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 8, 1862.
Adee, William, co. 1, 11th Inf. ; died of disease May 10, 1862.
Apell, Moses, co. K, 11th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30, 1864.
Arponteney, Thomas, eo. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 1,
1864; dis. by order, Sept. 11, '65.
Arquette, Alexander, eo. B, 15th Inf. ; died of disease at Grand Junc-
tion, Miss., Jan. 16, 1863.
Anklebrandt, John, co. E, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. March 6, 1863.
Allen, James, co. F, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab, June 21, 1862.
Amand, Louis, co. G, 15th Inf.
Anderson, William, eo. K, 15th Inf. ; died of disease at Monroe, Mich.,
Oct. 1, 1862.
Aselstein, Darius, co. G, 16th Inf.; dis. by order, Aug. 12, 1865.
Alger, Abraham, co. 1, 17th Inf. ; died of disease.
Arnold, Lewis, co. B, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Amo, Lewis, co. E, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Antya, William, co. E, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Austin, Benjamin, co. I, 17th Inf.
Armstrong, John S., co. K, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Allen, Charles, co. G, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Austin, Henry R., co. H. 18th Inf. ; dis. by order July 10, 1864.
Austin, Otis, co. H, 18tli Inf. ; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn.,
Feb. 22, 1864.
Adams, James, eo. D, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Anderson, James, co. I, 24th Inf. ; ra. o. June 30. 1865.
Armstrong, William A., co. G, 24fh Inf. ; dis. for disab. Nov. 26, 1863.
Alfred, George, co. D, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Anderson, George, co. G, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Allen, Jerome, eo. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22, 1864,
Austin, Edwin I., co. A, 4th Cav.; dis. for disab. Aug. 13, 1863.
Allison, Horatio N., co. B, 5th Cav.
Allison, George S., co. B, 5th Cav.; killed at Winchester, Va., Sept.
19, 1864.
Adams, Lewis, co. I, 5th Cav.
Alexander, Thomas M., eo. D, flth Cav.; trans, to V, E. C, Jan. 15,
1864.
Ayers, Silas, co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechanics, trans, to V. R, C,
April 10, 1864.
Babcock, Albert H., Dundee; 1st lieut. 18th Inf., July 27, 1862; pro.
capt., April 5, 1864; m. o. June 26, 1865,
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180 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Baldwin, G. Romeyn, e. Monroe, Jan. 20, 1863; hosp, steward, 18th
Inf. ; asst. surg., May 11, 1863 ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Bamaby, Charles W., e. Monroe, 2d lieut. 15th Inf. Jan. 1, 1862;
pro. capt. Oct. 1, 1862 ; killed in action before Atlanta, Qa., Aug. 13, 1864.
Bamaby, Albert G., Bedford; e. Aug. 9, 1862; sergt. maj. 20th Inf.;
pro. Ist lieut. May 12, 1864; not mustered as an officer; died at his home,
July 29, 1864, of wounds received in action, June 2, 1864.
Bell, John, Monroe ; e. Nov. 14, 1861 ; sergt. co. K, 15th Inf. ; pro. 1st
lieut. Oct. 1, 1862 ; capt. Aug. 13, 1863 ; major, Jan. 21, 1865 ; hrev. lieut-
eol. U. S. V. May 24, 1865, "for gallant and meritorious services during
the war;" m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Beisel, "William H., Exeter; e. Aug. 14, 1862; sergt. co. K, 18th Inf.;
pro. 2d lieut. Jan. 24, 1865 ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Bigelow, Abram, Berlin ; e. Aug. 15, 1862 ; sergt.. co. G, 21st Inf. ;
pro. 1st lieut. Dec. 2, 1863; taken prisoner, March 10, 1865; paroled,
April, 1865; dis. May 15, 1865.
Bisbee, Charles B., Monroe; e, March 15, 1865; sergt. maj. 15th Inf.;
pro. 1st lieut. March 30, 1865; in. o. Aug. 13, 1866.
Boardman, George M., e. Petersburg ; capt. 15th Inf., January 1, 1862 ;
died at St. Louis, Mo., April 6, 1864.
Bowlshy, George W., e. Monroe; capt. 15tli Inf., Jan. 1, 1862; res.
April 18, 1862.
Bowen, Adna H., e. Monroe; 2d lieut. 15th Inf., Jan. 31, 1862; pro.
Ist lieut. Oct. 1,1862 ; res. March 30, 1863; capt. 11th Cav. Aug, 1, 1863;
pro. and trans, as maj. 6th U. S. C. T. Oct. 21, 1864; no further record.
Bowen, George W., co. A, 4th Inf.
Bradford, George W., Monroe; e. June 20, 1861, as sergt. co. A,
4th Inf. ; pro. 2d lieut., Sept. 13, 1862; m. o. June 30, 1864.
Brigham, Mathie V., Newport; e. November 30, 1862; sergt. maj.
8th Cav.; pro. 2d lieut. Jan. 8, 1865; m. o. Sept. 22, 1865.
Brown, William C, Monroe; e. June 20, 1861, sergt. maj. 4th Inf.;
pro. 2d lieut. Jan. 1, 1862; 1st lieut. Sept. 13, 1862; wounded at Gettys-
burg, Pa., July 2, 1863 ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Bryant, Stephen 0., Bedford ; e. Aug. 5, 1862, sei^. co. C, 20th Inf. ;
pro. 2d lieut. May 17, 1865 ; not mustered as an officer; dis. May 30, 1865.
Billings, Edgar M., co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 29,
1863.
Beaman, George "W"., co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of ser\ice. June 30,
1864.
Benderitter, Frank, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June JJO,
1864,
Branner, Charles, co. A, 4th Inf. ; killed in the Wilderness, Va., Mav
7, 1864.
Brimingstall, H. J., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Bisbee, Charles A., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disah. Oct. 15, 1862.
Baker, I., co. A, 4th Inf.
Bronson, Edwin, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. for disah. May 14, 1864.
Benson, Adelbert, CO. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2,
1863.
Baker, Perry, co. A, 4th Inf.; died at Richmond, Va, July 15, 1862,
of wounds.
Baker, Newell E., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 22, 1861.
Boyle, Charles, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. for disah. July 6, 1862.
Bussires, John, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 29, 1863.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 181
Besonette, Samuel, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Gettysburg, Pa,, Julv 2,
1863.
Brown, Williams, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Dec. 31, 1862.
Brown, Joseph, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. April, 1864.
Baker, Charles, co. K, 4th Inf. ; killed May 12, 1864.
Baker, "William R., eo. E, 6th Inf. ; died of disease at Fort Gaines,
Ala., Oct. 15, 1864.
Brainard, Charles T., co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Oct. 22, 1861.
Brimingsteel, George, co. D, 7tli Inf.
Beandry, Joseph, eo. D, 7th Inf, ; dis. for disab. April 6, 1863.
Bushron, John, co, D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 18, 1863.
Beach, John, co. D, 7th Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. Feb. 15, 1864
Brown, William, co. D, 7th Inf.
Barry, John, co, D, 7th Inf. ; dis. for disab. April, 1864.
Barkley, William J., co. D, 7th Inf.
Beandry, Louis, co. D, 7th Inf.
Brown, George W., co. D, 7th Inf.
Bell, William, co. I, 7th Inf.
Boekstawz, Charles N., eo. K, 7th Inf.
Barber, Freeman A., co. K, 7th Inf.; killed at Wilderness, Va., May
6, 1864.
Bengorr, Julius, co. K, 7th Inf. ; killed at Deep Bottom, Va., Aug-
10, 1864.
Barber, George A., e. co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. for disab. May 23, 1862.
Baker, Edwin, co, I, 11th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30, 1864.
Baker, Marcus D., co. T, 11th Inf.; dis. at esp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Baker, Solomon M., co. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 5, 1862.
Barnes, Linn, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30, 1864.
Brown, Peter F., co. 1, 11th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30, 1864.
Branshaw, Joseph, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Burdeaux, Alexander, co. I, 11th Inf. ; trans, to V. R. C. April 30,
1864.
Boardman, Franklin, co. K, 11th Inf.
Boardman, Charles, eo. K, 11th Inf. ; died of disease, April 8, 1862.
Brockway, Oliver, co. K, 11th Inf.
Bragg, Nelson C, co. K, 11th Inf. ; died of disease, at Nashville, Tenn.,
Jan. 14, 1863.
Bragg, Myron, co. K, 11th Inf, ; dis. at esp. of service, Sept. 30, 1864,
Blood, Augustus W., co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. to enlist in regular service
Nov. 28, 1862.
Bragg, Clifford, co. K, 11th Inf.; died of disease, at Nashville, Tenn.,
Jan. 14, 1863.
Bennett, Lawrence, eo. E, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 6, 1865.
Barber, Dunham E., eo. A, 13th Inf. ; died of disease, at I-oui-sville,
Ky.. Nov. 29, 1862.
Bowman, Richard, co. B, 14th Inf.; died of disease, at Goldsboro,
N. C, April 5, 1865.
Brechtold, Michael, eo. K, 14th Inf.; m. o., July 18, 1865.
Bradley, Thomas M., 15th Inf.
Barraclough, Joseph, co. A, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order May 19, 1865.
Brown, Godfrey, co. A, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Brown, William, co. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Brockway, Charles, eo. H, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order May 31, 1865.
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182 HISTOEY OF MONROE COUNTY
Brown, Charles, eo. I, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Eourboney, Eli, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab.
Blair, Joseph, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 1, 1864.
Briggs, Daniel, co. B, 15th Inf.
Bitz, Bemart, co. E, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 8, 1862.
Branigan, Bernard, co, P, 15th Inf.
Boully, Peter, eo. G, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 24, 1864;
dis. for disab. Jan. 29, 1865.
Boudy, Francis I., eo. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 24,
1864.
Bareume, Edward, co. G, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Barron, Moses, eo. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order May 8, 1865.
Barron, Gilbert, co. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. July 11, 1862.
Beaubien, John, co. G, 15th Inf.
Boulley, Julius, eo. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 24, 1864 ;
m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Brooks, Charles, co. H, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 25, 1862.
Boners, Frederick, co. H, 15th Inf. ; died of disease June 3, 1862.
Bowers, Edwin, co. H, 15th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Mar. 22, 1865.
Barritt, Eugene, eo. I, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865 ; dis. to re-
enlist as vet. Feb. 14, 1864.
Bumham, Lyman, co. 1, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. July 27, 1862.
Butler, James, co. I, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Sept. 5, 1863.
Baker, George R. L., 1st lieut. co. K, 15th Inf. ; res. July 12, 1862.
Barnady, Charles W., co. K, 15th Inf.
Baker, Newell, co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enhst as vet. Feb. 20, 1864 ;
m. 0. Aug. 13, 1865.
Bell, Henry, eo. K, 15th Inf.
Bell, John, co. K, 15th Inf.
Besant, Joseph, co. F, 15th Inf. ; died of disease, at Cheralla, Tenn.,
Sept. 7, 1862.
Bondin, Clement, co. G, 15th Inf.
Burk, John, co. A, 16th Inf. ; m. o. July 8, 1865.
Bart-lett, Lawrence, co. A, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Branchau, Henry, eo. B, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Bunno, Abram, co. H, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Bunno, Robert, CO. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Bissetts, Erotus, co. B, 17th Inf. ; dis. by order Aug. 14, 1865.
Bellaire, Isadore, co. H, 17th Inf.; dis. by order June 10, 1865.
Bamaby, Henry, eo. C, 17th Inf. ; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Berne, James, co. C, 17th Inf. ; dis. for wounds, Dec. 12, 1862.
Belknap, Benjamin, co. I, 17th Inf.; killed at South Mountain, Sept.
14, 1862.
Barnes, George, eo. 1, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Mar. 2, 1865.
Bassett, Henry, co. I, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 14, 1864..
Best, John, co. A, 17th Inf.; killed in the Wilderness, Va., May 6,
1864.
Benjamin, William, co. H, 17th Inf. ; died of disease, at Anderson-
ville, Ga., Aug. 30, 1864.
Burnham, Alexander, eo. A, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. June 14, 1864,
Bateman, Christopher, co. H, 18th Inf. ; dis. by order, Aug. 8, 1864.
Buckley, William, co. H, I8th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Brickley, William W., co. H, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 10, 1865.
Bamett, Henry, co. H, 18th Inf. ; died of disease, at Lexington, Ky.,
Dee. 29, 1862.
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HISTOBY OP MONEOB COUNTY 183
Bissell, George, CO. H, 18th Inf. 1 dis. Deo. 25, 1862. „„,„„,
Bordine, George W, e. co. H, ISth Inf. ; dis. for disab. May 28, 1863.
Bristol, Edwin, co. K, 18tli Inf. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 12, 1863.
Baldwin, G. Romyne, co. K, 18th Inf.
Belman, Charles N., CO. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. Jnne 26, 1865.
Belman, Oscar H., CO. K, 18th Int. ; m. 0. Jnne 26, 1865.
Bond, Lewis W., CO. K, 18th Inf. ; m. 0. June 26, 1865.
Belcher, John, co. K, 18th Inf. ; in. o. June 10, 1865.
Bradford, William B., CO. K, 18th Inf. ; died of disease, at Nashville,
Tenn., April 12, 1864.
Brayden, George, eo. K, 18th Inf. ^ ^ .
Bogardus, George D., co. H, 18th Inf. ; died of disease, at Decatur,
Ala, Aug. 10, 1864. „ , .,. ^ , ,
Butler Lcander, co. A, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Barren, Isaac, co. A, 18th Inf. i trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Barren, Joseph B., CO. A, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf
Benjamin, Smith S., eo. C, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Int.
Babcock, Peter H, 18th Inf. i trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Breese Calvin, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Breohner, John L., co. C, IStll Inf . i m. o. May 29, 1866.
Brenmingstool, Charles P., co. F, 18th Inf. ; m. o. Jnne 10, 1865.
Beasell, James, co. K, 18th Int.; m. o. Jnne 7, 1865.
Benster, Wendell, co. A, 24th Inf. ; dis. for disab Dec 20, 18M.
Benstcr, Menzo M, co. A, 24lh Inf. ; dis. for disab. Feb. 8, 1863.
Baker, Harrison, eo. A, 24th Inf. ,t t.t o
Blissing, Phillip, co. A, 24th Inf. ; died at Locust Grove, Va., May 9,
1864, of wounds.
Balway, Peter, co. G, 24th Inf.; m. 0. June 30, 1865.
Bale, Joseph McCoUom, CO. G, 24th Int ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Broombar, John, Co. G, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Baldwin, Charles 0., co. G, 24th Inf. ; died of disease at Brook s sta-
tion, Va., Dec. 6, 1862. . ,. , ,. I, „ . „ IQBO
Berator, Solomon, Co. A, 24th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Oct 27, 1863.
Blankerlz, Jacob, CO. F, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865
Brewster, Franklin, CO. F, 26th Int. ; m. o. May 19, 1865.
Becker, Andrew W., CO. F, 26th Inf. ; m. o. June 4, 1865.
Brewer, Philarmon, co. F, 26th Inf. .
Briningstall, Abram, co. F, Ist Bngs. and Mechs. ; m. 0. at Nashville,
Tenn Sept 22, 1865. ,,
Brown, John G., CO. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs. ; dis. at exp. of service,
°° Babcock, Allison H., CO. F, 1st Bngs. and Mechs. ; dis. for disab. ,Iune
™' Brown, Thomas, Co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs. ; dis. for disab. June 20,
''"sailey, John, co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; dis. for disab. March 9,
^^''saker, Morgan, CO. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; died of disease at
''°"bS' r,' Xf co'l: Ist'lngs. and Mechs. ; died of disease at Bridge-
""Bat'r: J^aSer,'™' Tl^t Bngs. and Mechs.; m. o. at Nashville. Sept.
'^' Brockwav, Myron J., Co. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22,
1864.
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184 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Bulwer, Hiram R., co. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. for disab.
Broughton, George, co. C, 1st Cav. ; dis. by order June 12, 1865.
Brown, Philo, eo. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. by order Aug. 3, 1865.
Buck, William H., co. M, 1st Cav. ; m. o. March 25, 1866.
Benson, Samuel, co. K, 3d Cav.; m. o. Feb. 12, 1865,
Butterfield, John, co. K, 3d Cav.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. June 20,
1864, and m. o. Feb. 12, 1866.
Berge, Christian, eo. A, 2d Cav.; m. o. June 17, 1865,
Bunee, Latham, co. A, 4th Cav. ; dis. by order April 27, 1863.
Bensehider,, William, co. F, 4th Cav.; m. o. July 1, 1865.
Bulson, Edward B., co. B, 5th Cav.
Bruch, James P., co. B, 5th Cav.
Burroughs, Amos S., co. B, 5th Cav.
Briningstall, Abram, eo. B, 5th Cav. ; trans, to V. R. C.
Bisbee, Phillip, co. C, 5th Cav.
Baldwin, David, co. C, 5th Cav,
Boda, Lewis, co. C, 5th Cav.
Besold, Frederick, 8th (DeGolyer's) bat.
Burnett, Moses, 8th (DeGolyer's) bat.
Beauehamp, Michael co. D, 9th Cav. ; dis. for disab.
Bevier, Luther D., eo. D, 9th Cav.; died of disease at Richmond,
Va., Nov., 1863.
Beidler, Fred, eo. D, 9th Cav. ; dis. for disab. April 25, 1864.
Buskus, John G., eo. D, 1st Sharp Shooters ; m. o, June 31, 1865.
Butler, John, co. B, 102d U. S. C. T. ; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Binos, Daniel, co. B, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Bromley, Aaron, co. B, 102d U. S. C. T.; dis. for disab. May 11, 1865.
Brown, Thomas, co. H, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Carlton, Henry, Newport; eapt. 22d Inf.; e. July 31, 18S2; killed by
railroad accident, June 6, 1863.
Chapman, Aaron P., Monroe ; 1st lieut. and q. m. 17th Inf. ; e. July
19, 1863 ; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Chamberlin, Nelson, London; eapt. 11th Inf.; e. Aug. 21, 1861; re-
signed Feb. 19, 1863.
Christiancy, Henry C, Monroe; e. May 1, 1861, as private eo. P, 1st
(3 months) Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. 1st Inf., Aug. 17, 1861; 1st lieut., April
28, 1862; m. o. Sept. 26, 1864; brev. eapt., maj. and lieut.-col. of U. S.
Vol., March 13,, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service during the war.
Christiancy, James I., Monroe; e. June 4, 1861, as sei^.-maj, 17th
Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Dee. 28, 1862; Ist lieut. 9th Cav. Nov. 3, 1862;
detached as aid to Gen. Custer, Aug. 4, 1863; wounded in action at
Harris' Shop, Va., May 28, 1864; m. o. Aug. 22, 1865,
Clark, Thomas S., Monroe; lieut.-col. 6th Inf.; e. Jan. 19, 1861; pro.
col. June 21, 1862; resigned Jan. 29, 1864.
Clark, John A., Monroe; e. Aug. 22, 1861, as sergt. co. D, 7th Inf.;
pro. 2d lieut. March 1, 1862 ; 1st lieut. April 22, 1861 ; billed in action
at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862.
Clarke, Samuel P., Monroe; 1st lieut. 15th Inf.; e. Jan. 1, 1862; res.
July 13, 1862.
Conant, John S., Monroe; e. Sept. 11, 1862, as com. sergt. 25th Inf.;
pro. 2d lieut. April 7, 1863 ; dis. for disab. Feb. 23, 1864.
Cooper, Luke H., Monroe; asst. sergt. 17th Inf.; e. Feb. 27, 1864;
resigned Oct. 21, 1864.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 185
Creager, Marvin H., Berlin ; e. Aug. 30, 1861, as sergt. co. F, 2d Cav. ;
pro. 2d lieut. March 1, 1864; capt. Dec. 15, 1864; m. o. Aug. 17, 1865.
CurtisB, Sylvanus W., Monroe ; Ist lieut. 7th Inf., June 19, 1861 ; pro.
capt. March 1, 1862 ; maj. May 26, 1863 ; m. o. Oct. 5, 1864.
Cook, Van Rennselaer V., co. A, 1st Inf.
Carll, John M., co. H, 1st Inf.
Custer, Thomas W., Monroe; corp. 21st O. Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. 6th
Cav.; e. July 11, 1864: hrevet 1st lieut., capt. and maj. U. S. Vol.,
March 13, 1865, "for distinguished and gallant conduct;" m. o. April
24, 1866.
Carll, George M., co. H, 1st Inf.
Carney, Simon B., co. A, 4th Inf. ; died of disease at Annapolis,
Md., Nov. 17, 1863, from effects of starvation while a prisoner at Rich-
mond, Va.
Conlan, John, eo. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 30, 1864.
Couture, S. S., co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 30, 1864.
Coutchie, William, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Chaee, James, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp, of service, June 30, 1864.
Curtis, Benjamin T., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Chari:er, Jackson, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Chapman, Jonathan, eo. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 29,
1863.
Cisco, Lorenzo D., co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. for disab. July, 1861.
Choates, George E., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Crawford, Quimby H, co., D, 4th Inf.; dis. at end of service, June
30, 1864.
Conklin, "Wesley R., co. G, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 23, 1861.
Cicott, Elor, CO. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. August 1, 1863.
Cooley, Charles, co. H, 4th Inf.
Clark, Asa J., eo. F, 5th Inf.; killed at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.
Collum, Isaiah, co. B, 6th Inf. ; died of disease at Vicksburg, Miss.,
Jxine 27, 1864.
Collum, Peter, co. B, 6th Inf. ; died of disease at Vicksburg, Miss.,
Sept. 13, 1864.
Clark, A. C, co. B. 6th Inf.; died of disease at Mobile Point, Oct.
14, 1864.
Campeau, Anthony, eo. D, 7th Inf.; killed a( battle of Fair Oaks.
Mav 31, 1862.
Case George AY., eo. D, 7th Inf.
Calkins, Russell, co. D, 7th Inf.; killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
Cassidy, John, eo. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. for wounds Dec. 12, 1862.
Cassada, James H., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 14, 1863.
Carter, David, co. D, 7th Inf.
Chilsen, William G., co. D, 7th Inf.; died of disease at Camp Benton,
Nov. 2, 1861.
Crane, Delos S., co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis, at exp. of service, Aug. 28, 1864.
Cisco, James P.. co. D, 7th Inf, ; dis, to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 18, 1863.
Case, William B., co. D, 7th Inf.; died of disease at Baltimore, Md.,
Peb. 18, 1864.
Comstoek, John, co. C, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Dee, 7, 1863.
Carney, Robert B., co. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Peb. 22, 1863.
Cavano, John, eo. D, 7th Inf.; djs. for disab. Peb. 9, 1863,
Clark, Watson, eo. I, 11th Inf.; dis. for disab, Aug. 17, 1862.
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186 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Calhoun, Alvin, co. I, 11th Inf.; died of disease Jan. 9, 1862.
Carney, John H., eo. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Cauchie, James, co. I, 11th Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. Jan. 3, 1864.
Case, Daniel, co. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. at exp, of service Sept. 30, 1864.
Chamberlain, Servis, eo. I, 11th Inf. ; died of disease Feb. 15, 1862.
Cronerwit, Uriah, eo. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. for disab. May 25, 1863.
Crane, Joseph B., eo. I, 11th Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug. 14, 1862.
Cowen, Damon, co. K, 11th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service Sept. 30, 1864.
Cornwell, Anson, co. K, 11th Inf. ; dis. for disab. April 6, 1862.
Combs, Eberill, co. D, 11th Inf. ; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn.,
June 5, 1863.
Counture, William, co. A, 11th Inf.; m, o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Cory, Franklin, co. 11, 11th Inf.; m. o, Sept. 16, 1865.
Caswell, John B., co. A, 13th Inf.
Crewman, Thomas W., eo. K, 14th Inf. ; m. o. July 18, 1865.
Carr, George W., co. B, 15th Inf.
Colley, Anthony, co. B, 15th Inf.
Crilley, William, eo. B, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 18, 1862.
Cannon, George A., co. D, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. June 12, 1862.
Champaign, Callick, eo. G, 15th Inf.
Cournia, Henry, eo. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. June 21, 1862.
Cournia, Peter, eo. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. July 11, 1862.
Cypheus, Charles, co. G, 15th Inf.
Cournia, Yesant, eo. G, 15th Inf.
Christ, Adam, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, April 7, 1865.
Colary, Charles L., eo. H, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Oct. 13, 1862.
Coob, Vaji Ness, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. by order, June 23, 1865.
Canfield, Lemuel E., eo. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. July 8, 1862.
Casey, George, co. I, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Sept. 5, 1862.
Casey, Charles H., co. I, 15th Inf.
Carney, Nelson, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 8, 1862.
Carricb, William, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. by order, Oct. 10, 1863.
Cooley, John C, co. K, 15th Inf.
Coberly, Isaac, co. K, 15th Inf.
Cooley, John C, eo. K, 15th Inf.; dig. to rc-enlist as vet. Jan 3,
1864.
Carmell, Daniel, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. July 11, 1862.
Canfield, Charles H., eo. I, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. July 8, 1862.
Chesper, John, co. A, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan 1, 1864.
m. 0. 1865.
Casseno, Alexander, eo. B. 15th Inf.; m. o. May 30, 1865.
Carney, Andrew, eo. I, 15th Inf. ; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn.,
Feb. 2, 1865.
Callahan, Jerry, co. E, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Cisco, Sidney F., co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. by order, June 23, 1865.
Carmody, Thomas, 1st Indp. eo. 16th Inf. ; m. o. July 8, 1865.
Charian, Richard, co. E, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Charlan, Joseph, eo. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Compeau, John B., co. E, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Cooley, Henry, co. G, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Cooley, Moses, eo. G, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Cooley, Charles, co. G, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Cooley, OHver, co. G, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Cossine, John B., co. H, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Collins, Orval, co. C, 17th Inf. ; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Campbell, Frank G., eo. G, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Conia, Henry, co. G, 17th Inf. ; dis. by order, May 22, 1865.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 187
Collier, Orval, eo. C, 17th Inf.
Carter, J. R., eo. C, 17th Inf. ; trans, to V. R. C, Dec. 1, 1863.
Chapman, Aaron P., eo. C, 17th Inf.
Coif, James, eo. C, 17th Inf. ; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Coif, Israel B., eo. C, 17th Inf. ; killed at South Mt. Sept. 14, 1862.
Curtis, Norman G., eo. I, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Curtis, Alonzo, eo, I, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Carney, Mason, eo. I, 17th Inf. ; killed at South Mt. Sept. 14, 1862.
Calahan,, John, eo. G, 17th Inf. ; dis, by order Aug. 5, 1864.
Conlisk, Charles, eo. A, 24th Inf.
Codwise, George H., co. G, 24th Inf.; killed at Gettysburg, July 1,
1863.
Colbom, George, co. G, 24th Inf.; killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July
1, 1863.
CoUison, Robert H., co. B, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 18615.
Caplin, August, co. G, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Carlton, George E., eo. F, 26th Inf. ; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Clark, Peter, co. K, 1st Cav,
Clark, Mathew, co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. for disab. Dee, 8, 1862.
Conture, Moses, co. C, 1st Cav. ; dis. at exp. of service, Feb. 15, 1866.
Christiancy, William P., 1st Cav. ; m. o. Feb. 26, 1866.
Carroll, William, co. C, 5th Cav.
Cauehie, Godfrey, eo. C, 5th Cav.
Carney, George, eo. M, 1st Engineers and Meehanics ; died of disease
at Nashville, Nov. 30, 1863.
Cornwell, Edward H., co, F, 1st Engineers and Mechanics.; dis. a
exp. of service, Oct. 31, 1864.
Charter, Lafayette, eo. F, 1st Engineers and Mechanics, dis. at exp,
of service, Oct. 31, 1864.
Crosier, Adam, co. F, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; dis. for disab.
Nov. 0, 1862.
Case, Robert, Willett 's Sharp Shooters.
Cass, Isaac K., eo. L, Ist Engineers and Meehanics ; m. o. at Nash-
ville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865,
Cooker, Franklin, eo. E, 9th Cav. ; died of disease at Knoxville, Tenn.
Crilley, William, co. D, 9th Cav. ; trans, to V. R. C. Jan. 15, 1864.
Clark, Erastus W., eo. E, 11th Cav.; dis. for disab. Aug. 21, 1864.
Critchett, George W., co. H, 18th Inf. ; m. o, June 26, 1865,
Countryman, Joel, eo. H, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Clark, Edward G., eo. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 5, 1865.
Countryman, Joel, eo. H, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Countryman, Jacob H, eo. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Canel, Lawrence, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Collins, Charles, co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 25, 1863,
Carpenter, Nathan, co. K, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. June 8, 1863.
Cook, George W. V., co. K, 18th Inf.
Call, James, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Curtis, Andrew J., eo. H, J8th Inf.; died of disease at Lexington,
Ky., March 18, 1863.
Collins, John C, co. K, 18th Inf. ; died of disease at Lexington Ky.,
Feb. 5, 1863.
Collins, William, eo. B, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th aiich. Inf.
Chapman, Daniel, eo. K, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Compeau, Peter, eo. B, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Custer, James, eo. C, 18th Inf.; m, o. June 26, 1865,
Chapman. Charles, eo. G, 18th Inf.; m. o. May 20, 1865.
Cassada, William, eo. I, 19th Inf. ; died of disease at Nashville, April
20, 1864.
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188 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
Cuttiug, Leander G., co. H, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Cummings, Morris, co. K, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Christian, Richard, eo. K, 102d U. S. C. T. ; m. o, Sept. 30, 1865.
Darragh, James, Monroe; capt. 7th Inf.; e. Aug. 19, 1861; died of
disease April 17, 1862.
Darragh, Archibald B,, Monroe ; e. March 12, 1863, as sergt. co. D, 9th
Cav. ; pro. 2d lieut. Oct. 15, 1863 ; 1st lieut. Feb. 12, 1864 ; capt. June 9,
1865; m. 0. July 21, 1865, as 1st lieut.
Darragh, James C, Monroe; e, March 12, 1863, as sergt. co. D, 9th
Cav. ; pro. 2d lieut. March 26, 1864 ; wounded and lost a leg near Atlanta,
Ga,, Oct. 1, 1864; pro. Ist lieut, and adjt. May 15, 1865; m. o. as 2d
lieut. July 21, 1865.
Donnelly, John L., Monroe ; capt. 14th Inf. ; e. Nov. 18, 1861 ; m. o.
Feb. 13, 1865.
Doyle, John, Monroe ; 1st lieut. and q. in. 1 5th Inf. ; e. May 29, 1862 ;
m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Doyle, Timothy, Monroe; e. Dec. 3, 1861, as com. sergt. 15th Inf.;
pro. 2d lieut. Oct. 1, 1862; ra. o. Jan. 4, 1865.
Dtiffield, William E., Monroe; 2d lieut. 17th Inf.; e. June 17, 1862;
wounded in action at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862 ; died at Frederick
City, Md., Oct. 16, 1862, of wounds received on Sept. 17, 1862.
Dickinson, John R., co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at cxp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Dunlap, James A., Monroe; e. Aug. 18, 1862, as hosp. steward 2d
cav.; pro. asst. surg. March 1, 1864; surg. July 31, 1865; m. o. as asst.
surg. Aug. 17, 1865.
Diffenbaugh, Isaac, co. A, 4th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 10, 1862.
Duffield, Johnson, eo. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 30,
1862.
Downing, Christopher T., co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Nov. 19, 1863.
Duffield, William, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Jan. 8, 1862.
Disher, John, eo. A, 4th Inf. ; dis, to re-enlist as vet, Dec. 29, 3863.
Dumphy, Addison, eo. G, 4th Inf. ; dis, at cxp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Davidson, Augustus, co. A, 4th Inf.
Dissinhurth, August, co, G, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct, 6, 1863.
Davis, Dewitt C, co. A, 7th Inf.; killed at Antietam, Sept, 17, 1862.
Daley, John M., co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis, Nov, 11, 1861,
Deshetler, Francis, co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Feb. 8, 1862.
Dowd, Solomon C, co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis, at Detroit, Mich., July 14,
1862.
Deshetler, Basil J., co. D, 7th Inf,; died of wounds Oct. 9, 1862,
Dutton, John C, co. D, 7th Inf , dis foi di&ab Feb. 4, 1863,
Dutton, Warren, dis. for diaab March 4 1863
Dean, William, co. I, 11th Inf dis for disab May 28, 1862,
Dever, Jacob I., eo. 1, 11th Inf dis as exp of service, Sept. 30, 1864.
Doran, Edward, co. I, 11th Inf dis tor disab Jan. 15, 1863.
Dingman, John S., co. I, 11th Inf dis it exp of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Durocher, Isadore, co. D, llth Inf m o Sept ]6, 1865.
Deshulter, Joseph, eo. H, llth Inf , m o Sept 18, 1865.
Davis, Nelson, co, H, 12th Inf dis for disab Jan, 10, 1865,
Datle, Michael, co. H, 15th Inf died of disease.
Duseau, Oliver, co, H, 15th Int di-> toi disab ■Vug. 20, 1862, dis. to
re-enlist as vet. 1864.
Duseau, Oliver, jr., eo. H, 15th Inf.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 189
Darrah, John, eo. H, 15th Inf. ; died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn.,
Aug. 30, 1864.
Dale, John, eo. K, 15th Inf. ; died of disease at Hickory Valley, April
' Dubry, Moses, co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. for diaab. July 30, 1862.
Dubue, Moses, co. K, 15th Inf.
Dulae, Stephen, eo, K, 15th Inf.
Deline, Alonzo, co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. June 28, 1862.
Doyle, Timothy, co. K, 15th Inf.
Donald, Tliomas, eo. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. March 31, 1863.
Duclow, Frederick, co- B, 15th Inf.; in. o. Aug. 13, '65.
Dubrey, Antoine, co. D, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab., July 29, 1862.
Dely, Peter R., eo. D, 15th Inf. : killed at Shiloh, Tenn., April 6, 1862.
Dubrey, Oliver, co. C, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. May 25, 1862.
Dither, Charles, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. May 25, 1862.
Downing, John, co. G, 15th Inf. ; ra. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Duchane, Peter, co. G, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Daiiey, James, co. H, 15th Inf. ; dis, at exp. of service, Jan. 29, 1865.
Dusseau, David, co. H, 17th Inf. ; died of disease, at Andersonville,
Ga., Aug. 8, 1864.
Dunbar, George, co, C, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 28, 1865.
Delong, George, co. C, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab.
Drew, Israel E., eo. C, 17th Inf.
Dunbar, George, co. C, 17th Inf.
Duval, Joseph, eo. C, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 2. 1863.
Defour, "Washington, eo. I, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab. July 1, 1863.
Dumphrey, Daniel, eo. I, 17th Inf.; died of disease.
Dumont, Amibie, co. E, 17tli Inf.; died of disease at Andersonville,
Ga.
Dusseau, Oliver, co. H, 17th Inf.; died of disease at Andersonville,
Ga., July 12, 1864.
Dusseau, David, jr., co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Davis, Asa S., co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Davis, Charles, co. H, 18th Inf.
Davenport, Jerome B., co. K. 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Davenport, John J., co. K, 18ih Inf. ; died of disease, at Lexington,
Ky., March 9, 1863.
Dwyer, Dominiek, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865,
DeLand, Peter, co. K, 18th Inf.
Doty, Charles, eo. B, 18th Inf.; died of disease, at Hunfsville, Ala.,
Feb. 24, 1865.
Daniel, Albert, co. A, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
DeShalter, C, eo. F, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
DeLand, Charles G., eo. K. 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
DeCant, Peter, eo. K, 18tb Inf. ; m. o. June 8, 1865.
Dingman, George W., co. A, 24th Inf, ; m. o. June 7, 1865.
Daniels, Chester V,, co, F, 24th Inf,; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Davis, Charles, co, F, 24th Inf,, in. o. June 30, 1865.
Dodge, Cyrus J., co. F, Ist Engs. and Mechs.; dis. for disab. June 23,
1862.
Dustin, John L., co, F, 1st Engs. and Mechs. ; trans, to V. R, C, May
1, 1864.
Drouillard, Leander, co. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 20,
1863;m. O.March 10, 1866.
Doddard, James, co, C, 2d Cav.
Davis, Benjamin, co. A, 4th Cav,; dis. by order Jan, 28, 1863.
Dowsitt, James S., eo, B, 5th Cav.
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190 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Dyke, Morris, eo. C, 5th Cav.; dis. for disab. Oct. 13, 1863.
Daws, L., eo. E, 9th Cav.
Eaton, Job C, Monroe; 2d lieut. Hth Inf.; March 1, 1865; m. o. Sept.
16, 1865.
Edwards, Searles C, Milan ; e. Dec. 25, 1861, as aergt. co. 1, 15th Inf. ;
pro. 2d lieut., April 10, 1862; dis. May 28, 1865.
Elliott, Henry C, Monroe; 2d lieut. 18th Inf., July 27, 1862; re-
signed Nov. 7, 1862.
Baton, W. H., eo. A, 4th Inf. ; killed at Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862.
Ebert, John, eo. A, 4th Inf.; died of disease, at Frederick, Md., Nov.
30, 1862.
East, George, eo. P, 6th Inf.
East, William, co. F, 6th Inf.
Evans, Richard, co. K, 11th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30, 1864.
Extiene, Lorenzo, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 25, 1862.
Eaton, Orrin D., eo. D, 15th Inf.; killed at Shiloh, Tenn., April 6,
1862.
Edwards, Searles C, co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Nov. 5, 1862.
Eastlick, William, co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. July 24, 1862.
Evon, Peter, co. 1, 15th Inf.
Eggleston, Dennis, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Elliott, John C, co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 3, 1864.
Eddy, William N. H., co. K, IStli Inf.; died of disease, at Nashville,
Tenn., Feb. 5, 1864.
Eighney, Erastus, co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 2. 1864.
Eldridge, Alfred, co. H, 18th Inf. ; died of disease, at Nashville, Tenn.,
June 24, 1864.
English, Thomas, co. K, 18th Inf. ; died of disease, at Nashville, Tenn.,
April 20, 1864.
Epler, Samuel K., co. C, 5th Cav. ; killed at Berryville, Va., Aug. 19,
1864. by guerrillas.
Ellis, Thomas, mh (DeGolyer) Battery.
Fishburn, -loshua, Monroe; Dec. 8, 1862, as commissary sergt, 15th
Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Aug. 6, 1864; pro. 1st lieut. Nov. 1864; m. o. Sept.
19, 1865.
Frary, Edson S., Petersburg ; 1st lieut. Ist Engs. and Mechs., Sept. 12,
1861 ; res. Jan. 30. 1862.
Fonier, Samuel, eo. A, 4tli Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 29, 1863.
Fonier, John, co. A, 4th Inf. ; killed at Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862.
Fonier, Peter, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Spottsylvania, Va., May 8,
1864.
Fler, John, 7th Inf.
Fields, Hiram, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. May 2, 1862.
Poumia, Charles, co. D, 7th Inf.
Ferguson, Jonathan, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 30, 1862.
Francisco, George W., co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept.
30, 1864.
Fields, Myron A. A., co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Furrer, John, eo. G, 14th Inf.; m. 0. July 18, 1865.
Froth, James J., CO, K, 14th Inf.; m. o. July 18. 1865.
Ferguson, Aaron, eo. G, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, March 13.
1865.
Frankhouse, Abram, eo. G, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Frost, George, co. I, 15th Inf. ; m. o, Aug. 13, 1865.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 191
■ Foley, Mathew. ot. K, 15th Int dis h^ older May 30, 1865
Fawthop, George, co. B, 15th Inf (lis h-v ordei May 30, 1865.
Pray, Jacob, eo. F, 15th Inf dis for disab July 8, 1862.
Pord, Jacob, co. H, 15th Inf dis at exp of service, April 7, 1865,
French, Levi H.. co. I, 15th Int dis fui disab July 26, 1862.
French, John, eo. I, loth Inf
French, William G., co. 1, 15th Inf
Fiteh, James, eo. K, 15th Int dis to le enlist is vet. Feb. 11. 1864;
m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Francisco, Sidney, eo. K. 15th Int dis hy order June 23, 1865.
Francisco, Harrison, co. K 15th Inf dis tor disab. March 31, 1863.
Friday, Peter, co. K, 15th Inf
Farwell, John B., eo. K, 15th Inf
Fulyesson, Aaron, eo, K, 15th Inf.
Fisher, John, eo. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab, July 6, 1862.
Ferguson, Jonathan D., co. A, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Fuller, Uriah, eo. C, 17th Inf.
Farwell, William, co. E, 17th Inf.
Fountain, Phillip, co. G, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d. Inf.
French, Joel W., co. H, 18th Inf.; ra. o. June 26, 1865.
Francisco, Moses, co. H, 18th Inf. ; died of disease, at Decatur, Ala.,
Oct. 10, 1864.
Frink, Miles S., co. H, 18th Inf. ; killed by explosion of steamer Sul-
tana, April 28, 1865.
Furray, Samuel, eo. B, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30. 1865.
Falcher, John, eo. K, Ist Cav.
Fonstiel, William, co. E, 1st Cav. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22, 1864.
Falinestock, Jacob, co. K, 5th Cav.
Fleishman, Godfrey, 8th (DeGolyer's) Bat.; dis. for disab. Sept 10,
1862.
Fleishman. George, 8th (DeGolyer's) Bat.
Peld, Martin, 8th (DeGolyer's) Bat.
Fishel, John, eo. E, 1st Sharp Shooters; m. o. July 28, 1865.
Fulcher, John, co. K, 1st Reg. Engs. and Mechs. ; killed at Gettvs-
burg. Pa., July 3, 1863.
Frank, William, co. 1, 1st Reg. Engs. and Meehs. ; m. o. at Nashville,
Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Galloway, Jerome B., Monroe; c. Aug. 16, 1864, as sergt. eo. B, 4th
Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. 11th Inf. March 1, 1865; 1st lieut. March 16, 1865;
res. July 22, 1865.
Geismer, Henry, Newport ; asst. surg. 22d Inf. ; e. Oct. 7, 1862 ; res.
July 12. 1863; asst. surg. 29th Inf. Mar. 19, 1865; m. o. Sept. 6, 1865.
Green, Jacob L., Monroe; capt. 6th Cav.; e. July 14, 1863; pro. asst.
adjt. gen. U. S. Vol. Sept. 4, 1863; maj., brevet lieut. col. U. S. Vol.
March 13, 1865, "for distinguished gallantry at the battle of Trevilliau
Station. Va., and meritorious service during the war;" m. o. March 20,
1866.
Green, Thomas, Monroe; ehap. 17th Inf.; e. April 14, 1864; m. o.
June 3, 1865.
Grosvenor, Ira R., Monroe; col. 7th Inf., June 10, 1861; res. July
7, 1862.
Gale, Prank B., co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Malvern Hill, Va., July 1,
1862.
Gibson, William H., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Gonier, Xavier, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis, at exp. of service, June 30, 1864.
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192 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Guion, Andrew, eo. A, 4th Inf.
Grannison, George, co. A, 4th Inf.
Griswold, George, eo. A, 4th Inf.
Gregory, Thomas, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Nov. 20, 1861.
Gee, Orrin, co. G, 4th Inf. ; trans, to V. B. C. Jan. 15, 1864.
Goodenough,' Thomas W., eo. D, 7th Inf.; died at Washington of
wounds Get. 9, 1862.
Glean, Augustus A., co. D, 7th Inf.
Garrity, Peter, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 16, 1863,
Green, Orison T., eo. D, 7th Inf. ; killed at battle of Fair Oaks, May
31, 1862.
Gee, Edward, eo. D, 7th Inf.
Gee, Carrington, eo. D, 7th Inf.
Granis, Myron W., co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22,
1864.
Grisley, William, co. D, 7th Inf. ; died of disease at Stevensburg, Va.,
Feb. 25, 1864.
Green, Seneca, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30, 1864.
Gardner, Abraham, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Golitz, Otto, CO. A, 12th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Goodrich, Schuyler E., co. D, 15th Inf.; died of wounds at St.
Louis, Mo., Oct. 14, 1864.
Gensler, Michael, eo. B, 15th Inf. ; died of disease at Big Black River
July 26, 1863.
Graves, Allen, eo. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 3, 1864.
Gonia, David, co. G, 15th Inf.; died of disease at Louisville, Ky.,
July 2, 1865.
Grisley, John C, co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. Jan. 5, 1865.
Giieson, Peter, co. G, 15th Inf. ; died of disease June 9, 1862.
Gee, Jason, eo, G, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab, July 12, 1862.
Gregory, John, co. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 28, 1865.
Generau, Joseph, co. G, 15th Inf. ; dis, for disab, June 21, 1862.
Grimes, William, co, H, 15th Inf. ; killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862.
Grimes, John, co. H, 15th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, April 7, 1865.
Grumlich, Michael, co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Oct. 20, 1862.
Grumlieh, Winterlin, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, March
30, 1865.
Gynne, Frank, eo, K, 15th Inf.
Gates, Avon, co. K, 15th Inf.
Grisley, Christian.
Grimes, Samuel, co. H, 15th Inf. ; died of disease at Rome, Ga., Aug.
20, 1864.
Guyer, Lewis, co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Graves, Reuben, co. C, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Dec, 15, 1862.
Grant, John, co. C, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Falmouth, Va., Feb.
5, 1863.
Guyon, Henry, co. C, 17th Inf.; died of disease at Detroit, Mich.,
Aug. 26, 1862.
Geniae, Alexander, co. C, 17th Inf.; m. o, June 3, 1865.
Gillet, February, co. C, 17th Inf. ; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Gaaf, Jacob, eo. H, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Andersonville, Ga.,
Sept. 14, 1864.
Guyer, Lewis, jr., co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Goodrich, Wilham M., eo. E, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 13, 1865.
Greenfield, Wilbur, co. E, 18th Inf.
Green, Edward C, co. F, 18th Inf.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 193
Oac. Charles O., co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Guyor, Noah, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 28, 1865.
Gorman, Patrick, eo. A, 24th Inf.
Gee, Ezekial P., co. P, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
GifEord, William R., co. F, 1st Engineers and Mechanics ; dis. at exp.
of service, Oct. 31, 1864.
Gruff, Jacob, eo. L, 1st Cav.; dis. by order, June 28, 1865.
Gale, Eugene, co. C, 5th Cav.
Gravelink, Mathew, eo. C, 5th Cav.
Gale, Eugene, co. C, 5th Cav.
Graham, George, co. C, 5th Cav,
Green, John, co. G, 102d U. S. C. T.; ra. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Hawkes, Carlton H., Monroe; e. Aug. 18, 1862, as sergt. maj. 5th
Cav.; pro. 2d lieut. April 13, 1865; 1st lieut. April 14, 1865; ra.o. June
22, 1865.
Hawker, George W., Dundee; e. Aug. 24, 1861, as sergt. maj. co. I,
11th Inf.; pro. 2d Lieut. Dec. 10, 1862; res. Jan. 14, 1864.
Heeock, Amos T., Monroe; 2d lieut. 7th Inf.; e. Sept. 2, 1861; pro.
lat lieut. March 1, 1862; capt. April 22, 1862; dis. June 22, 1863.
Hill, Theodore J., Exeter; eapt. 18th Inf.; e. July 27, 1862; rea
Jan. 21, 1863.
Hall, Ephraim G., London ; e. Aug. 24, 1861, as sergt. co. I, 11th Inf. .
pro. 2d lieut. April 1, 1862; 1st lieut. Aug. 18, 1862; wounded in action
near Murphreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 5, 1863; capt. Feb. 19, 1863; r
Sept. 30, 1864.
Hamilton, "William B., Berlin; e. Aug. 22, 1862, as sergt. eo. B, 22d
Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. June 5, 1863; taken prisoner at Chiekamauga, Tenn.
Sept. 20, 1862; paroled March 1, 1865; pro. 1st lieut. Nov. 17, 1863; m
o. June 26, 1865.
Hart. John E., Raisin; e. Dec. 12, 1862, as sergt. co. B. 9th Cav.
pro. 2d lieut. Nov. 13, 1863; dis. for disab. Oct. 22, 1864.
Hall, Miffin W., co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 28, 1864.
Haberfeldner, Theodore, eo. A, 4th Inf. ; killed at Chancellorsville,
Va., May 3, 1863.
Heald, James, eo. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 30, 1864.
Barman, Frederick, co. A, 4th Inf, ; died of disease in hosp., George-
town.
Hoffman, Frederick, co. A, 4th Inf,; killed at Chancellorsville, Va,
May 5, 1863.
Hinsdale, James W., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec, 29,
1863.
Henderson. David, co. E, 4th Inf.; dis. by order, Nov. 16, 1863,
Hesenghuth, August, eo. G, 4th Inf.
Hubbell, Jerome, eo, I, 4th Inf.
Hoy, Hugh, CO. I, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dee. 25, 1863.
Holeomb, Samuel, co. P, 6th Inf, ; died of disease at Camp Williams,
Oct. 21, 1862,
Hall, Solon W., co. K, 6th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 1, 1864.
Hale, Daniel, eo. D, 7th, Inf. ; trans, to V. R. C. March 15, 1864.
Hanson, John, eo, D, 7th Inf. ; died at Philadelphia of wounds, Nov.
4, 1862.
Harris, Sidney G., co. D, 7th Inf.; killed at Gettysburg, Pa., Jiily
2, 1863.
Hindeliter, Jacob, co. D, 7th Inf.
Heisler, Edward, eo. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 25, 1863.
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194 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
Haight, George C, eo. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 31,
1864.
Haight, Charles G., co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 31,
1864.
Heisler, Edward, co. K, 7th Inf.; killed at Wilderness, Va., May
9, 1864.
Harwick, Ahram, co. D, 7th Inf.
Hamilton, John H., eo. I, 11th Inf. ; died of disease Feb. 26, 1862.
Hall, John, eo. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30, 1864.
Hall, Richard W., co, I, 11th Inf. ; dis. by order, Aug. 11, 1863.
Hieks, Abner, co. C, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Hutchinson, Julius H., co. H., 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Hayes, Horace, co. I, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. July 1, 1862.
Houghton, Jerome, co. I, llth Inf. ; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn.,
Jan. 5, 1863.
Howe, Oliver P., co. I, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug. 5, 1862.
Harris, William, co. I, llth Inf, ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Harwood, Edwin, eo. I, llth Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Hallock, Walter F., co, I, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug. 13, 1862.
Hathaway, George B., eo. I, .llth Inf.; dis. at Chattanooga, Tenn.,
April 16, 1865.
Hoffman, Daniel, co. I, 12th Inf.; dis. by order Sept. 30, 1865.
Haine, John, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 1, 1864 ;
died of disease at Little River, Ala., Get. 22, 1864.
Horton, Martin, co. B, 15th Inf.
Horton, George, co. B, 15th Inf.
Hubble, Albert, eo. B, 15th Inf.
Hope, Lewis, co. D, 15th Inf.; dis to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 14, 1864.
Ileitzer, Albert, eo. E, 15th Inf.
Hutehins, David, eo. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 5, 1862.
Hamlin, Asahel, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Nov. 20, 1862.
Hunter, Henry, eo. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 24,
1864.
Hughes, Brice, eo. H, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 7, 1864.
Hack, James, eo. H, 15th Inf.; died of disease at Camp Monroe,
March 24, 1862.
Harris, Henry, co. I, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. July 26, 1862.
Holton, Joseph, co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, March
30, 1865.
Hanmer, Jacob, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 7,
1865.
Houseman, Martin, co. B, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Hyatt, Joseph, eo. E, 15th Inf.; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Hailing, Albert, co. F, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Hall, Webster, co. G, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Hayott, Joseph, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Heman, William, co. H, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Ang. 13, 1865.
Hewitt, George M., eo. C, 17th Inf.
Huff, Amos B., co. I, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Dec. 10, 1862.
Hatfield, David S., co. D, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 24, 1862.
Hanchett, Charles, co. B, 17th Inf.; dis. by order July 5, 1865.
Hurd, George W., co. E, 18th Inf.
Hibbard, William R., co. H, 18th Inf.
Haight, George C, co. H, 18tb Inf.; m. o. June 23, 1865.
House, George A., co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 5, 1865.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 195
Heath, Charles A., co. II, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Hazen, Nelson T., co. H, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Sept. 2, 1862.
Heath, Solomon M., co. H, 18th Inf.; m. 0. June 26, 1865.
Hensdall, George, co. A, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Hitchins, Frank S., co. H, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Lexington,
Ky., Dec. 21, 1862.
Hawkins, Alfred, co. II, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Nashville,
Tenn., Oct. 16, 1863.
Holton, George S., co. H, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Haner, Perry D., eo. II, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Holton, Reuben B., co. H, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Nashville,
Tenn., Sept. 2, 1863.
Haner, Alexander, co. II, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Lexington,
Ky., Dec. 22, 1862.
Hopkins, Alexander F., co. II, 18th Inf.; died in rebel prison Cahaba,
Ala., Nov. 10, 1864.
Hilton, Joseph H., co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. 0. May 29, 1865.
Hindes, Thomas J., eo. K, 18th Inf. ; killed by explosion of steamer
Sultana, April 28, 1865.
Hungeford, Elon G., CO. H, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Harrison, Daniel, co. B, 18th Inf.; ni. o. June 26, 1865.
Humphrey, Charles A,, eo. B, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Hirkinur, Robert, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. 0. June 26, 1865.
Hoy, Alexander, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. 0. June 22, 1865.
Hubble, Erastus B., eo. K, 18th Inf.; m. 0. June 26, 1865.
Hopkins, William J., co. K, ] 8th Inf. ; died of disease, at Nash-
ville, Tenn., Aug. 7, 1863.
Harmon, Daniel, co. K, 18th Inf.
Hilton, Edward W., eo. K. 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. June 9, 1863.
Hill, Elijah, eo. K, 18th Inf.; m. 0. June 26, 1865.
Hogle, Charles P., eo. B, 18th Inf.; died of disease, at Decatur,
Ala., Aug. 1, 1864.
Hedsig, Samuel co. A, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Hall, John C, CO, B, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Hosea, James P., eo. A, 24th Inf.
Hine, E. "W., co. F, 24th Inf.
Hendricks, Benjamin A., co. G, 24th Inf.
Herrick, Edward A., co. D, 24th Inf.; m. 0. June 30, 1865.
Hobart, Luther, co. P, 24th Inf. ; m. 0. June 4, 1865.
Hadley, Marquis, co. P, 26th Inf. ; m. 0. June 4, 1865.
Hamilton, Palmer, co. F, 26th Inf. ; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Hopkins, Johnson B., co. E, 1st Reg. Engs. and Meehs., Missouri
Vol.
Harris, Edwin T., co. P, 1st Reg. Engs. and Mechs. ; died of dis-
ease March 1, 1862.
House, George A., co. F, 1st Reg. Engs. and Meehs.
Heath, Merrill, co. P, 1st Reg. Engs. and Mechs.; dis. for disab.
April 24, 1862.
Hutchins, Stephen B., co. P. 1st Cav.; m. o. July 17, 1865.
Hoskins, John R, co. F, 1st Cav, ; m. o. June 20, 1865.
Hunt, William W., co. F, 1st Cav, ; m. 0. Aug. 26, 1865.
Howiand, Andrew A., eo. P, 1st Cav. ; m. o. Jan. 24, 1866.
Hawley, Francis R., co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. to re-enlist as vet, Dec,
20, 1863.
Holeomb, Horace, jr., co, K, 1st Cav.; dla. to re-enlist as vet. Dec.
20, 1863, and m. o. May 11, 1865.
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196 HISTORY OF MONKOE COUNTY
Hurd, Andrew J., co. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. to re-enlist in regular ser-
vice, Nov. 3, 1862.
Holeomb, Horace, co. F, Ist Cav.; m. o. May 11, 1865.
Horey, Alton, 2d Cav.; m. o. Aug. 17, 1865.
Howe, Daniel C, eo. B, 5th Cav.
Harmer, Henry, oo. C, Sth Cav.
Hawks, Carlton H., eo. K, 5th Cav.
Hawks, Erasius P., eo. K, 5th Cav.
Herkmier, Henry, co. K, 5th Cav.
Hardingar, George, eo. H. 4th Cav. ; trans, to V. R. C. April 30, 1865.
Hetline, Michael, 8th (DeGolyer) Bat.; dis. for disab. Jan. 13, 1863.
Hall, Henry M., eo. D, 9th Cav. ; dis. for disab.
Haiget, Robert J., co. D, 9th Cav.; dis. for disab.
Hamlin, Asahel, co. D, 9th Cav.; trans, to V. K. C. Jan. 15, 1864.
Henrick, John, co. E, 11th Cav. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 21, 1864.
Highwarden, Abraham, co. E, 102d U. S. C, T.; m, o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Hopkins, Johnson B., co. E, 1st Reg. Engs., Missouri Volunteers.
Ingersoll, Richard P., Dundee; eapt. 18th Inf., July 27, 1862; m.
0. June 26, 1865.
Isabelle, James, eo. K, 11th Inf.; killed at Chickamauga, Sept. 20,
1863.
Innes, John M., co. D, 15th Inf.
Isabelle, Myron, eo. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 16, 1862.
Inman, Isaiah, eo. I, 17th Inf. ; died of disease Jan. 19, 1864.
Inman, Elisha, co. I, 17th Inf. ; dis. at Washington, D. C.
Irish, Sidney P., co. H, 18th Inf.; died of disease, at Lexington,
Ky., Feb. 13, 1863.
Irish, George, co. K, 3d Cav. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 20, 1864.
Janny, Elwood, Bedford; e. Aug. 11, 1862, sergt. co. K, 18th Inf.;
pro. 2d lieut. March 1, 1864 ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Johnson, Charles, Monroe; e. Dec. 8, 1862, com. sergt. 15th Inf.;
pro 2d lieut. Aug. 6, 1864; 1st lieut. Nov. 1, 1864; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Johnson, John, eo. A, 74th Inf. ; trans, to V. R. C. April 10, 1864.
Jones, John, 7th Inf.; dis. Dee. 1, 1861.
jandreaux, Paul, co. D, 7th Inf.
Jones, Charles, eo. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Dec. 24, 1862.
Jones, Thomas P., eo. D, 7th Inf.
Johnson, Miles B., co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. for disab. March 8, 1863.
Johnson, Jasper, co. I, 11th Inf.; died of disease at Dechard, Tenn.,
Aug. 1, 1863.
Jerenoy, Joseph, co. A, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Jackson, Francis, co. H, 12th Inf.; dis. by order, Sept. 30. 1865.
Jarvis, Octave, eo. B, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Jacobs. Frederick, co. B, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Jacobs, Edwin, co. IT, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 7, 1865.
Jacobs, Hiram, eo. I, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 26, 1862.
Johnson, Justin D., co. K, 15th Inf.; trans, to V. B. C. May 1, 1864.
Jackson, Anton, co. K, 15th Inf.
Johnson, Austin, eo. B 15th Inf. ; died of disease at Camp Sher-
man, Aug. 22, 1863.
Johnson Robert, eo B, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug. 30, 1863,
Jackson, Charles H., co. A, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. July 15, 1863.
Jaekson, Samuel, co, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Jones, John, eo. C, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Jan. 4, 1865,
Jackson, James J,, co. I, 17th Inf.
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h:STOEY of MONROE COTJNTY 197
Jackson, Lewis C, CO. I, 17th Inf.; died of disease at Falmouth,
Va, Jan. 13, 1863. , ^ ,-,„„.
Johnson, Russell M., eo. I, 17th Inf.; dis. by order Jtine 1(, 1865.
Johnson, Samuel, co. I, 17th Inf.; m. 0. June 3, 1865.
Johnson, Jesse, Co. I, ITth InJ. ; died of disease in Michigan, Sept.
2, 1862.
Johnson, James, co. I, 17th Inf.; m. 0. June 3, 1865.
Jacobs, D., CO. H, 17th Inf.; died of disease in military prison,
Florence, S. C. , ^, „„ ,ni>r;
Johnson, Eiehard, co. G, 17th Inf. ; dis. by order May 27, 1865.
JaclEson, Jaclrson, co. I, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 1, I860.
Johnson, "William W., co. G, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th llieh. Int.
Janney, Elwood, co. H, 18th Inf.
Johnson, Squire, co. H, 18th Inf.; m. 0. June 26, 1865.
Jackson, Wallace W., co. E, 18th Inf.; trans, to IStli JIicli. Int.
Jacobs, Eli, eo. D, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Jenlts, Augustus, eo. A, 24th Inf.; killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July
1, 1863. . , , ,
Jamieson, William H., CO. G, 24th Inf. ; died in hosp. of wounds.
May 25, 1863.
Jewel, William, CO. G, 24th Inf.
Jones, Nathaniel, co. F, 26th Inf.
Jipson, John S., co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. for disali. ■
Johnson, James C, co. L, 1st Cav.; dis. by order, June 7, 1865.
Jones, H. B., CO. L, 1st Cav. ; dis. by order, Sept. 12, 1865.
Johnson, Abraham H, co. K, 3d Cav. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan.
19, 1864. ,. . T on
Jacobs Theodore, co. K, 3d Cav. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 20,
1864;ra. 0. Feb. 12, 1865. „„ ,«oi
Jacobs, Harvey, CO. K, 3d Cav. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 20, 1864;
m. 0. Sept. 25, 1865.
Jacobs, John, co. K, 3d Cav.; dis. to re-enhst as vet. Jan 20, 1864.
Johnson, Charles 11, CO. H, 3d Cav; m. o. Feb. 12, 1865.
Jones, Austin A., eo. A, 4th Cav. ; dis. for disah. Oct. 14, 1863.
Johnson, George, co. C, 5th Cav. ^ , ,
Juckett, Ashley E, eo. K, 5th Cav. ; died of disease at Convalescent
Camp. Aug. 3, I863. „ ^, ,
Jihnson, Luther M., co. A, 9th Cav. ; died of disease at Camp Nelson,
Ky., Oct. 25, 1863.
Kelley, James H., Exeter ; e. Aug. 18, 1 862, as scrgt. eo. K, 18lh Inf. ;
pro 2d lieut. Nov. 24, 1862 ; 1st lieut. Nov. 6, 1863 ; taken prisoner in
action at Athens, Ala., Sept. 24, 1864; exchanged Nov. 14, 1864; m. o.
June 26, 1865. ,, . „ . , ,a<n ,,.
Kirby, Eestcome E, Monroe; capt. 11th Cav., Aug. 1, 1863; res.
""kna'ggs, Robert C, Monroe; e. Aug. 22, 1861. scrgt.-maj. 7th Inf.;
pro 2d licit. Jan. 1, 1862; 1st lieut. Sept. 1, 1862; taken prisoner at
Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863; released March 7. 1864; brevet capt. U.
S. Vol March 13, 1865, "for gallant services during the war; m. o.
July 5, 1865. .. , ,t h ioco
fcikggs, Wesley J., co. A. 4th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Nov 11 1862
Kittle" Jesse D., co. A, 4th Inf. ; killed at Malvern Hill, la., July 1,
1862.
Kempf, Godfrey, Co. A, 4th Inf.
Knabe, Augustus, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Malvern IIill, Va., July 1,
krombach, Adam, eo. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 30, 1864.
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198 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Kidder, Samuel P., eo. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, -Tune 30,
1864.
Kendal, Harry, eo. A, 4th Inf.; died of disease in hospital, Oct. 22,
1861.
Kane, William, m. C, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 7, 1865.
Kronback, Michael, eo. D, 11th Inf. ; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Kelley, John, co, K, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order Aug. 28, 1865.
King, William, eo. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 1, 1864.
Kuhn, Frank, eo. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 24, 1864 ;
killed at Kenesaw Mt., Ga., June 27 1864
Kries, Louis, co. K, 15th Inf
Kiny, Robert, co. F, 15tli Inf dis for diaab May 22, 1862.
Knapp, Charles, eo. H, 15th Int dis bj order May 21, 1865.
Kelley, Thomas, co. A, 17th Inf trans to 2d Mich. Inf.
Kendal, Nathan, co. C, 17th Inf , m o June i 1865.
Kemp, Lewis, co. C. 17th Inf. , died of disea&e at Waterford, Nov. 14,
1862.
Knowles, James, co. C, 17th Inf.; m. o, June 3, 1865.
Kent, William J., eo. C, 17th Inf.; killed at South Mountain, Md.,
Sept. 14, 1862.
Kemp, James J., co. I, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Michigan, Sept. 28,
1862.
Kinney, John H., eo. H, 17th Inf.; died of disease at Andersonville,
Ga., July 31, 1864.
Keifer, George, co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Kenyon, John S., co. H, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 2. 1862.
Kidder, Isaac D., co. H, 18th Inf.; dis, for disab. July 7, 1863.
Kelly, James H., eo. H, 18th Inf.
Kelly, John, eo. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Ketehum, Aaron, co. K, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Lebanon, Ky.,
April 28, 1863.
Kelly, Thomas, eo. K, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn.,
May 7, 1863.
Kliver, Jacob, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Kellar, Edwards, eo. K, 18th Inf.
Kelley, Nathaniel, eo. H, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Decatur, Ala.,
Aug. 3, 1864.
Kemp, George M., co. A, 24th Inf.
Kavanaugh, Stephen, eo. A, 24th Inf.
Kennedy, Albert H., eo. F, 26th Inf.; dis. for disab. March 30, 1865.
Kingsley, Ira D., co. M, Ist Cav. ; m. o. July 24, 1865.
Knowles, Thomas K., co. K, 3d Cav.; dis. to re-enhst as vet. Jan.
20, 1864;m. O.Feb. 12, 1866.
Knoll, Boyd, co. H, 3d Cav. ; m. o. Feb. 12, 1866.
Kinear, Eli H., eo. C, 5th Cav.
Kirchmaier, William, eo. C, 5th Cav.
Kirch man, William, co. C, 5th Cav.
King, Cyrus, eo. G. 102d U. S. C. T. ; m. o, Sept. 30, 1865.
Lamb, John, Monroe; 2nd lieut. 11th Inf., March J, 1865; pro. 1st
lieut., Aug. 1, 1865; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Lampman, Darreil, Petersburg; 2nd lieut. 11th Inf., March 1, 1865;
m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Landon, Henry B., Monroe; 1st lieut. and adjt. 7th Inf., Aug. 19,
1861 ; res. Oct. 23, 1862 ; asst. surg., Oct. 2, 1863 ; rea. April 26, 1864.
Landon, George M., Monroe ; 2nd lieut. 4th Cav., Dec. 20, 1862 ; pro.
1st lieut. Feb. 18, 1863; capt., Dec. 11, 1864; m, o. July 1. 1865.
LaPointe, George, Monroe; e. Aug. 22, 1861, sergt. eo. D, 7th Inf.;
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 199
I.™ 2d licut Sept 18, 1862; 1st lieuf., May 20, 1863; aP'.. Sept. 21,
fs^sr-ounL in actiin. May 13, 1864; lieut. »l Oct. 12. 1?«« ; ".reve
col. V. S. v., April 2, 1865, "for gallant and meritorious service m front
of PeteSburg, Y'a.;" col., Nov. 18, 1864; m. o. as lient-col., Ju y 5 1865.
° LaSte''Mos.4 A., Monroe; l"li™t. 15th Int., Jan. 1, 1862 ; p™^
capt. Oct. 1, 1862; lient.-eol., Jan. 21, 1865; brevet «»'; "■ ^-J;, Ma?
24; 1865, "for gallant and meritorious services during tie war, m. o.
"^"Lefford^Asa C, Petersburg; entered service, Jan. 14, 1865, scrgt co.
H, 11th Int.; pro. 2d licut. Aug. 12, 1865; not mustered as an ofBcer;
""■Sfiefilohn J, Dundee; assist, surg 18th Int., Oct. 25, 1864;
■"■ LetTaS, Alei, Monroe; entered service, Oct. "• If '.-*„- "■
15th Inf. ; pri. 2d lieut. Nov. 1, 1864 ; 1st lieut. June 6, 1865 ; m. o. Aug
"•Sgsfon, Samuel, Monroe; entered service Ang. 22, 1861 sergt
CO D 7th Int ; pro. 2d lieut. April 22, 1862; 1st licut, Sept. 17, 18bi,
"nu5folti'„?£„?oe°;"Ut"«Uf.Mayl6 1861; res NOV ^S
1861, lient.-eol. 17th Inf. Ang. 8, 1862; pro. col. March 21, 1864; dia.
"'tascf Richard R., e. eo. A, 4th Inf. ; died at Belle Me, Va, 1864.
Sey, WillLm, e'. eo. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, June 30,
^^^eonard Freeman, co. A, 4th Inf.; died of disease in hospital at
"=" Erart Johfc o! Sh Inf. ; died of disease, at Wind Mill Point,
""■ilil Charles H., co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Gettysburg, Pa, July 2,
^^^Libby, George W, co. G, 4th Int. ; dis. tor disab.
LaFountain, Paul, co. I, 4th Inf.
Loss, Henry, CO. F, 6th Inf .
Lamlrin, William, eo. D., 7th Inf.
Si wZ;n!°co.°D, m M.; dis. t. re-enlist as vet. Dec 18, 1863.
lSuTc GuBiavus,'co. D, 7th Inf.; died at Fredericksburg, \a,
of wounds, Oct. 29, 1862.
Soo'S'l'eoie W."co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. for wounds, June 30, 1863.
Sman! iohn,?o. C, 7th Int. ; hilled at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864.
Landon, Frederick, eo. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. for disab
Lamkin Eliiah co. 1, 11th Int. ; dis. at exp. of service. Sept 30, 1864.
iSid George, eo I, 12th Inf.; died at Chattanooga, of wounds,
Aug. 23, 1864.
SS;,fsfc:r%o'l"lU:|nf dis. at exp of service, Sept. 30, 1864.
LeSord, Asa C, co. H, 11th Int ; m. 0. Sept. 16, ISSJ-
Lesher, Samuel, eo. H, 11th Int.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Lee, Charles H., co. H, 11th Int. ; m. o. Sept^ "■ 1?^5,
Lemery, Samuel, co. I. 11th Inf.; m. 0. Sept 16, 1865.
Se Albert, co. B, 12th Inf., dis. at exp. of serv.ee, Sept. 9, 1865.
Little; Rinehart, 00. B, 12th Inf. ; dis. by order Sept. 9, 1865.
Link, John, eo. A, 15th Inf.
Loucks, John W., co. A., 15th Int
IjOnCKS, dOlin *>., CO. ^., i , „ ,. J J. I.
Loranger, George, eo. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab.
LaBean, Francis, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. lor disab. March 10, 1863.
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200 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
LaZette, Serille, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 9, 1862.
Libby, Luke, co. B, 15th Inf. ; died of disease, at Snyder's Bluff, Miss.
July 24, 1863.
Lafleur, Warren, eo. B, 15th Inf.; m. o, Aug. 13, 1865.
■ Lemorand, Alexander, co. D, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-euIist as vet. Feb.
2, 1864 ; dis. by order, April 24, 1865.
Lawrence, Henry, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disah.
Lavron, Eli, co. D, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 14, 1864.
Ladute, Peter, co. D, 15th Inf. ; killed at Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3, 1862.
Lamb, Glanville W., eo. E, 15th Inf. ; died of disease, at Camp Sher-
man, Miss., Aug. 4, 1863.
Leeroix, Joseph, co. G, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug, 16, 1865 ; dis. to re-enlist
as vet. Jan. 24, 1864.
Lee, Sanford, co. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Dec. 8, 1 862.
Lapell, Edward, eo. H, 15th Inf. ; died of wounds, at Marietta, Ga.,
Sept. 1, 1864.
Lariu, Antoine, co. H, loth Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865; dis. to re-enlist
as vet. Jan. 24, 1864.
Laplaut, Francis, co. H, 15th Inf. ; dis, at exp. of service, April 7,
1865.
Larkin, Amos, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. March 31, 1865.
Lavigne, Isadore, co. K, 15th Inf.; died at. Corinth, Miss., July 18,
1862.
Larain, Charles, eo. K, 15th Inf. ; died of disease, at Mound Citj-, 111.,
Oct. 30, 1862.
Long, William, co. K, 15th Inf.
Laflee, Warren, eo. K, 15th Inf.
Laflau, Charles, co. K, 15th Inf.
Lavine, Fadu, co. K, 15th Inf.; died of disease July 11, 1862.
Love, Enon, co. D, 15tli Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 23, 1864.
Loranger, Augustus, co. B, 15th Inf. ; m. o. May 30, 1865.
Lapoint, John, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. April 30, 1865.
Laziness, Gilbert, eo. C, 15th Inf, ; dis. by order June 30, 1865.
Louckes, Henry, co. G, 15th Inf. ; m, o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Louckes, Levi, eo. G, 15th Inf.; dis. by order Sept. 18, 1865.
Loran, Joseph, co, H, 15th Inf. ; m, o, Aug. 13, 1865,
Leonard, Moses, co, K, 15th Inf,; dis. by order Sept. 2, 1865.
Layman, David, co, F, 15tTi Inf. ; died of disease, at Evansville, Ind.
July 17, 1862.
Lemerand, Jonas, co. E. 17th Inf. ; died of wounds received at Spott-
Bylvania C. H, May 12, 1864.
Lauraiit, Joseph, eo. E, 17th Inf.; died of disease at Fairfax Semi-
nary Hospital.
Laduke, James, eo. E, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Andersonville,
Ga., Aug. 7, 1864,
Lezott, John B., co. E, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf, ;
Lemroy, Frederick, eo. A, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Lexington,
Ky., June, 1864,
Lemerand, Thomas, co. E, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Lemerand, Daniel, co, E, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mieh, Inf.
Lemerand, Eli, co. E, 17th Inf.: trans, to 2d Mich, Inf.
Labeau, Charles, co. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mieh. Inf.
Lezott, Eli, CO. E, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich, Inf.
Loranger, Peter, co. B, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Tnf.
Luce, WiUiam E., co. F, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich, Inf.
Lear, John, co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mieh. Inf.
Layness, Peter, co. E, 17th Inf. ; dis. by order, July 20, 1865,
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 201
Long, David H., eo. G, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Lahr, Joseph, <;o. C, 17th Inf. ; m. o. June 'S, 1865.
Libby, Oliver, co. I, 17th Inf. ; dis, for disab. Jan. 14, 1864.
Labue, William, no. 1, 17th Inf.
Lamphire, Charles H., co. I, 17th Inf.; (lis. Jan. 1, 1863.
Layler, Andrew, eo. C, 17th Inf. ; killed at South JMt., Sept. 14, 1862.
Lindsey, Giles, co. H, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Sandy Creek,
N. Y., Jan., 1864.
Lawrence, Henry C, eo, H, 18th Inf. ; died of disease at Lexington,
Ky., April 13, 1863,
Lamkin, Benjamin, co. II, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. June 16, 1863,
Langdon, Martin, co. H, 18tli Inf. ; m. o, June 26, 1865.
Lattin, Lemuel H., co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 8, 1865.
Laman, Jacob, co. K. 18th Inf.; died of disease at Decatur, Ala.,
Aug. 12, 1864.
Landon, Frederick, co. K, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Nashville,
Tenn,, Aug. 29, 1864.
Larouche, Frank, co. K, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Lagness, Panellto, eo. A, 18th Inf.; m. o. Jan. 26, 1865.
Legnuas, Phillip, co. A, 18th Inf. ; m. o. Jan. 26, 1865.
Loss, Henry, eo. B, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865,
Labadeaux, Joseph, co. D, 24th Inf.; m. o. 30, 1865.
Littlelield, John S., co. F, 24th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 23, 1863.
Lautenslager, Samuel T,, eo. G, 24th Inf.; dis. for disab. March 29,
1864.
Langs, Enoch F., co. G, 24th Inf.
Langs, Charles "W., co, G, 24th Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. July 1, 1864.
Lamphire, Charles H., co. F, 26th Inf.; m. o. June 4, '65.
Lanning, George, eo. P, 26th Inf. ; m. o. June 4, 1865.
Littlefield, Cyrus E., co. K, 1st Cav., dis. to re-en!ist as vet. Dec. 20.
1863.
Langs, Gustavus, eo. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22,
1864.
Lewis, Sidney, co. B, 5th Cav. ; dis. for minority Dec. 3, 1862.
Lafleur, Frederick, eo. C, 5th Cav.
Lutze, John, eo. C, 5th Cav. ; killed at Berryville, Va., Aug. 19, 1864,
by guerrillas.
Laboe, Phillip, eo. C, 5th Cav.
Lamkin, C, co. K, 5th Cav.
Leroy, Elliott, co. L, lat Engs. and Mechs. ; died of disease at Nash-
ville, Tenn., March 29, 1864.
Landless, James, co. L, 1st Engs, and Mechs.; ni. o. at Nashville,
Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Lamkin, A,, co. E, 9th Cav.
Lewis, Washington, co. K, 102 U. S. C. T.; m. o. Sept. 80, 1865.
Lumgate, John, e. co, F, 9th Cav.
Mason, John W., Dundee ; assist, surg. 6th Inf. ; e. July 29, 1862 ; pro.
surg. Dec. 23, 1864 ; m. o. Aug. 29, 1865.
Maxwell, George R., Monroe; e. Aug. 15, 1861, sergt, co. K, 1st Cav.;
pro. 1st lieut. July 30, 1862 ; wounded in action at Monterey, Md. ; pro.
eapt. Aug, 22, 1863; wounded in action at Harris' Shop, Va., May 28,
1864; pro. lieut. col. Oct. 25, 1864; wounded in action at Five Porks,
Va., April 1, 1865 (leg amputated); brevet eol. U. S. Vol. March 13,
1865, "for conspicuous gallantry in action;" dis. Aug. 4, 1865.
Maxwell, William B., Grafton; e. Sept. 20, 1864, as private eo. B,
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202 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
1st Cav. ; pro. 2d lieut. March 7, 1865 ; died of disease at Pleasant Viiliey,
Va., Mar. i, 1865.
McBride, James 0., Monroe; 1st lieut. and adj. 15th Inf.; e. Jan.
1, 1862; pro. capt. 9th Cav.; Nov. 3, 1862; maj. Oct. 17, 1865; m. o. as
capt. July 21, 1865.
McLachlin, William D., Petersburg; 1st lieut. 11th Inf.; e. March 1,
1865; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Mizur, ■William, London; e. Aug. 6, 1861, sergt. eo. F, 16th Inf.; pro.
2d lieut. May 8, 1865; 1st lieut. July 7, 1865; m. o. as 2d lieut. July 8,
1865.
Munger, George, Dundee; e. Aug. 22, 1861, as sergt. co. D, 7th Inf.;
pro. 1st lieut. March 2, 1864 ; capt. Oct. 5, 1864 ; m. o. July 5, 1865.
Marlcham, Galen, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Dee. 16, 1862.
MiUer, Riley, co. B, 4th Inf.; trans. V. R. C. Feb. 15, 1864.
Mosier Aaron, co. A, 4th Inf.; died of wounds received July 1, 1862.
Hosier, Isaac, co. A, 4th Inf.
Hetty, Eli, co. E, 4th Inf.
Morgan, Moses, co, G, 4th Inf.
McKiver, Robert, eo. H. 4th Inf. ; dis. for disab. May 29, 1862.
McSherry. Pat, co. C, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 27, 1863.
MeSherry, Peter, eo. C, 5th Inf.
Moulton, Charles, co. K, 6th Inf. ; died of disease near Vicksburg,
Miss., May 17, 1862.
HcFetridge, Samuel, co. D, 7th Inf.
Haurer, John, co. D, 7th Inf.; killed at Malvern Hill, June 30, 1862.
Marshall, George, eo. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 18, 1863.
Miles, Sylvester, co. D, 7th Inf.
Morgan, Isaac, co. D, 7th Inf. ; dia. to re-enlist as vet, Dec. 18. 1863;
killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864.
Munger, Edward C, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service. Sept, 22,
1864.
Munger, George D, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec, 18,
1863.
Miles, Theodore H., co, D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 18,
1863.
Munger, John, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 21, 1861.
McCauley, James, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 17, 1862.
Miles, Wilson, co. D. 7th Inf.
Milburn, Frank, co. D, 7th Inf. ; trans, to V. R. C. March 15, 1864.
McKinney, James E., co. II, 11th Inf.; m. o, Aug. 17. 1865.
Head, Joseph H., co. II, 11th Inf. ; m. o. Sept, 16. 1865.
McMeekin, Samuel, co. E, 11th Inf. : m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
HcGuire, John, co. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Au^. 17, 1862,
Houlton, John F., co. I, 11th Inf. ; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn.,
Oct. 30, 1862.
Minor, Moses, co. 1, 11th Inf. ; trans, to 1st U. S. Eng., Aug. 18, 1864.
McLathlin, Nathan, co. K, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Myriek, Albert, eo. K, 11th Inf.; dis for disab. June 1, 1863.
McNeil, Alexander, eo. A, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept, 16, 1865.
McFarlane, John 0. A., co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Nov.
9, 1863.
Morrison, Clark I., co. A, 13th Inf.; dis. for disab. June 9, 1862.
Mossie, Henry, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet, Jan. ], 1864;
m. 0. Aug. 13, 1865.
Miller, Isaac, co. B, 15th Inf.; died of disease at Cincinnati, O,. June
20, 1862.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 203
Murphy, James J., eo. C, 15th Inf.; killed at Shiloli, Tenn., April
6. 1862.
Murray, Martin, co. C, 15th Inf.
Murray, Andrew, co. C, 15th Inf.; died of disease at Pittsburg Lond-
iog, Tenn., May 2, 1862.
Mackel, Wolf, co. F, 15th Inf.
Mountry, Louis, co. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 24. 1864 ;
m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Mills, William, co. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Feb. 9, 1863.
Marr, Nelson, co. G, 15th Inf. ; died of disease.
McMillen, George, co. H, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Nov. 20, 1863.
Myriek, Ozroe E., eo. H. 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Sept. 20, 1862.
MeEldowny, John, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jidy 12, 1862.
Millage, Richard, eo. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. July 1, 1862.
Miller, John L., eo. K, 15th Inf.
Mauire, Joseph, co. K, 15th Inf.
Miller, Simpson, co. K, 15th Inf.
Mills, William.
Mains, Joseph, co. F, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 20, 1862.
Mclnnes, John, co. D, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 15, 1864.
Moses, Henry, co. F, 15th Inf.; m. o. Jan. 25, 1864.
McKlesky, Owen, co. I, 15th Inf.; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn.,
Feb. 2, 1865.
Miller, Luther D., co. E, 15th Inf.; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Moses, Edwin, co. F, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. June 17, 1862.
McDowell, Henry, co. G, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
McCord, Franklin, eo. G, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Martin, Solomon, co. G, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Martin, William, co. G, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Minor, Henry, eo. I, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Munger, Albert H., eo. I, 15th Inf.; dis. by order May 19, 1865.
Morton, Peter, co. H, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Auderaonville, Ga.,
Sept. 5, 1864.
Morass, Gustavus, co. H, 17th Inf.; died of disease at Andersonville,
Ga., Aug. 10, 1864.
Moore, Peter, co. A. 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Miller, Stacy, eo. B, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d. Mich. Inf.
Miller, John F., co. B, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Miller, Prank, co. B, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Miller, Elias, eo. B, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Jlich. Inf.
McKay. John, co. B, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
McDonald, Thomas, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Murphv, Thomas, eo. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Mountrie, John, co. H, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
McMannis, Owen, co. B, 17th Inf. ; dis. from V. R. C. bv order Sept.
4, 1865.
Morgan, Richard, eo. C, 17th Inf.
Morse, Isawc, co. C, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab.
Maury, Andrew, eo. G, 17th Inf. ; died of disease in Military Prison,
Andersonville. Ga., July 18. 1864.
Metzger, J., co. B, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 3, 1864.
McLain, Elt W,, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Manwaring. Henry, co. K. 18th Inf.
Mitty, Anthony K., co. K, 18th Inf. ; killed by explosion of steamer
Sultana, April 28, 1865.
Mclntri, Thomas A., eo. K, 18th Inf. ; ni. o. June 26, 1865.
Mclntri, Benjamin P., eo. K, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Sept. 26, 1863.
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204 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Mclntre, George W., eo. K, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Snow's
Pound, Ky., Oct. 4, 1862.
Mclntre, John A., eo. K, 18th luf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Mener, Gilbert, co. K, 18th Inf. ; dis. 26, 1862.
McKay, Martin, co, K, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Lexington, Ky.,
Oct. 24, 1862.
Mominee, John, eo. C, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Munger, James J., co. H, 18th Inf.; killed at Athens, Ala., Sept. 24,
1864.
Miller, Homer, eo. H, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Moger, William, co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
McCarty, Robert, eo. H, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Merritt, George, co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
MeEldowny, Andrew J., co. K, 18th Inf.; killed by explosion of
steamer Sultana, April 28, 1865.
Miller, John, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
MeEldowny, Stores, co. K, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Feb. 9, 1865.
MeEldowny, Augustus, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
MuUer, John G., eo. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Miller, William H., co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Miller, Josiah, eo. H, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Mominee, Joseph, eo. C, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Mann, James, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 7, 1865.
Martin, Basil, co. D, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Moore, George A., co. A, 24th Inf. ; trans, to V. R. C. March 15, 1864.
Murphy, James, eo. A, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Menor, Joseph, co. D, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
McGlenn, George W., eo. K, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Morrow, Bela H., co. K, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865,
Mally, Charles, co. A, 24th Inf. ; dis. for disab. June 8, 1864.
Malley, James, co. A, 24th Inf. ; died at his home of wounds June 6,
1864.
Morris, Lewis D., co. A, 24th Inf. ; died of disease at Culpepper, Va.,
April 12, 1864.
MuUer, William R., eo. B, 26th Inf.; ni. o. June 3, 1865.
Merriman, Reuben, co. K, 102d IT. S. C. T.; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Mixor, James M., co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; ni. o. at Nash-
ville, Tenn.. Sept. 22, 1865.
Murphy, Harmon, co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; m. o. at
Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Murphy, Nathan, co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechanics ; m. o. at Nash-
ville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Mozser, Eiisha, co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; m. o. at Nash-
ville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Munson, Thomas S., co. M, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; m. o. at
Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Morris, Emory C, co. M, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; m. o. at
Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Moore, Elliott F., co. M, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; m, o. at Nash-
ville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Murphy, Seba D., eo. F, 1st Engineers and Mechanics ; dis. for disab.
McFall, Andrew J., co. F, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; dis, for
disab.
McFall, Cornelius P., co. P, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; dis. at
exp. of service Oct. 31, 1864.
Morgan, Elijah, co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; dis, for disab.
Feb, 11, 1864.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 205
Mead, Chauney A., eo, E, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; ni. o. at
Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
McBride, Cyrus E., co. K, 1st Cav.
Mead, Theodore, eo. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. at exp. of service Aug. 22, 1884.
Mareott, Oliver, eo. K, 1st Cav. ; trans, to V. R. C. Feb. 15, 1864.
Maxum, Horace M., co. M, 1st Cav.; m. o. June 12, 1865.
McDowell, James, eo. B, 4th Cav. ; m. o. Aug. 15, 1865.
Menor, Peter, co. C, 5th Cav. ; died of disease at Detroit, Oct. 14,
1862.
Myers, Warren W., co. C, 5th Cav.
Masten, Abraham, co. C, 5th Cav.
Menor, Francis, co. C, 5th Cav.
Murphy, Luba D., eo. D, 9th Cav.j trans, to V. R. C. Jan. 15, 1864.
McAuley, James, co. E. 9th Cav.
McHerrill, J,, co. E, 9th Cav.
Navarre, Alex. T., Monroe; Jan. 26, 1864, q. m. sergt. 7th Inf.; pro.
1st lieut. and adjt. Nov. 4, 1864; m. o. July 5, 1865.
Nims, Frederick A., Monroe ; Aug. 22, 1862, as sergt. eo. C, 5th Cav. ;
pro. 2d lieut. Jan. 12, 1864 ; 1st lieut., March 7, 1865 ; m. o. Aug. 22, 1865.
Navarre, Isaac, eo. A, 4th Inf.
Nolan, Thomas, co. A, 4th Inf.; die. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 29, 1863.
Nelson, Benjamin P., co. A, 4th Inf.
Navarre, Alexander, co. E, 4th Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. Nov. 15, 1864.
Nelson, Prank B,, eo. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Navarre, David, co. D, 7th Inf.
Navarre, Yessant, co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. for disab. March 10, 1863,
Nelson, David L„ co. C, 7th Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. Feb. 15, 1864.
Norton, James "W,, co. I, 12th Inf. ; m. o. Feb. 15, 1866.
Navarre, Gilbert, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 23, 1862.
Norton, Michael, co. C, 15th Inf.
Nangle, Casper, co. G, 15th Inf.
Noble, Franklin, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab, Nov. 1, 1862.
Nepheu, Joseph, co, T, 15th Inf, ; dis. to re-enlist as vet, March 3,
1864.
Nelson, Frank, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb, 11, 1864 ;
m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Nichols, William, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis, to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 1,
1864.
Navarre, Alexander, co. E, 17th Inf, ; died of disease, at Anderson-
ville, Ga,
Nadeau, Jacob, co, E, 17th Inf. ; died of disease, at Andersonville, Ga.
Nagle, Casper, co, G. 17th Inf.; died of disease, at Andersonville,
Ga., Aug. 7, 1864.
Nevarre, Prank, eo. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich, Inf.
Nevarre, Julius, co. E, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf,
Nichols, Conant, co. H, 18th Inf. ; killed bv explosion of steamer Sul-
tana, April 28, 1865.
Nelson, N. West, co. H, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865,
Newcomb, Oscar, co. H, 18th Inf. ; dis. Dec. 15, 1865.
Nash, Riley C, co. A, 4th Cav, ; trans, to V. R. C, April 10, 1864.
Neff, William, co, D, 9th Cav, ; died of disease, at Knoxvilie, Tenn.,
Oct. 15, 1863.
Northrup, Robert W., co. B, 47th Ohio Inf.
Oliver, John M,, Monroe; 1st lieut. 4th Inf. May 6, 1861; pro. eapt.
Sept. 25, 1861; col. 15th Inf. Jan. 15, 1862; brig, gen., U. S. V., Jan.
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206 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
12, 1865 ; brevet maj.-gen. U. S. V., March 13, 1865, for faithful and
efficient services during the war ; m, o. Aug. 24, 1865.
Olney, George W., co. A, 4th Inf.; died in prison at Anderaonville,
Ga., June 21, 1864.
Olsean, Martin, eo. A, 4th Inf. ; dis, at exp. of service, June 30, 1864.
Owen, George W., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 29,
1863.
Olney, George, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 30, 1864.
Osborn, George, eo. K, IHh Inf., dis. for disab. Nov. 4, 1864.
0 'Keep, John, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 1, 1864.
OuBterhout, Lewis B., co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. May 28, 1862;
died of disease at St. Louis, Mo., May 30. 1862.
Ostrander, George "W., co. K, 15th Inf.
Ostrum, Peter, co. K, 15th Inf. ; killed at Shiloh, Tenn., April 6th,
1862.
Olds, William J>., eo. 1, 15th Inf. ; died of disease, at Nashville, Tenn,,
Feb. 25, 1865.
O'Barr, Lewis, co. G, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Ostrum, Tobias, co. 15th Inf. ; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Owen, James, co. I, 17th Inf.; dis, for disab. May 20, 1863.
Owen, Wilhara C, eo. K, 18th Inf.; died of disease, at Riga, Mich.,
Sept. 24, 1865.
Oathout, Delos, eo. B, 18tb Inf. ; died of disease in rebel prison, An-
dersonville, Jan. 1, 1865.
Olmstead, Arden H., co. G, 24th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Jan. 18, 1863.
Ostrander, Harrison, co. B, 5th Cav.
O'Neil, Elisha, e. eo. 0, 5th Cav.
0 'Connor, James, eo, E, 1st Cav. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22, 1864.
0' Sullivan, Timothy, co. E, 1st Cav, ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22,
1864.
Parker, Sewell S., Monroe; 2d lieut. 26th Inf.; Sept. 1, 1862; pro.
1st lieut. March 13, 1863; capt. Oct. 12, 1863; maj. 4th Inf. July 26,
1864; m. o. May 26, 1866.
Parker, Sentor S., Monroe ; 2d lieut. 4th Inf. ; -luly 26, 1864 ; res.
Jan. 31, 1865.
Phelps, Augustus 11., Monroe; 1st lieut. 15th Inf.; Jan. 1, 1862; res.
June 20, 1862.
Paulding, Cornelius, co. A, 4th Inf.; died of disease in hospital.
Parker, Senter, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet.
Paulding, "Willes G,, eo. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 27, 1862.
Paul, George D,, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis, at exp, of service, June 30, 1864.
Parker, Sewall S., eo. A, 4th Inf.; dis. Sept. 11, 1862,
Plues, Sherman D., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Nov. 15, 1862.
Pence, William H,, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 29,
1863.
Porceon, John, eo. A, 4th Inf
Parker, Samuel S., co. H 4th Inf
Prinar, J., co. A, 4th Inf dis for disab April 13, 1863.
Payne, Horton, co, F, 6th Inf killed at Baton Rouge, Aug 5, 1862.
Phelps, Isaac, eo. D, 7th Inf dis for disab
Plues, Thomas S., co. D, 7th Inf , died m retreat from Harrison Land-
ing, June 29, 1862.
Putnam, Simeon S., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis, for disab. Dec. 10, 1862.
Plues, Joseph E., co. D, 17th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 18,
1863.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 207
Palmer, Ansel, eo. I, 11th Inf.; died at Stone River, Tenn., Jan. 2,
1863, of wounds.
Pegler, George, eo. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Feb. 22, 1863.
Pence, Samuel D., eo, K. 11th Inf.
Penny, William, co. C, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Pilon, Charles, co. G, 15th Inf.
Pindor, Charles, eo. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. March 5, 1862.
Pool, John, eo. H, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. March 25, 1864;
m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Pete, Seriel, co. H. 15th Inf.; dis. by order May 31, 1865.
Perry, Milon, co. H, 15tli Inf.; for disab. June 15, 1862.
Potter, John, eo. I, 15th Inf.; dis for disab. Sept. 30, 1862.
Purdv, Lewis, co. I, 15th Inf.; died of disease at St. Louis, Mo.,
June 2, 1862.
Perkins, James L., co. I, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. June 12, 1862.
Peabody, Nathan, co. K, 15th Inf. ; died of disease April 2, 1862.
Pemil, Andrew, co. K, 16th Inf.
Pearee, George, co. D, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 16, 1865.
Pennock, Harl^', co. F, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Phillips, Charles E., co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Jan. 30,
1865.
Pellan, Charles, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. July 14, 1862.
Poupard, Anthony, co. G, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Perkins, Leonard W., co. II, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich, Inf.
Pete, James, eo. H, 17th Inf.; dis. by order Aug. 5, 1865,
Pulver, Charles, eo. A, 17th Inf.
Potter, James A., co. C, 17th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 12,
1865.
Phimb, Lewis, eo. C, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Dec. 10, 1863.
Plumb, David J., co. C, 17th Inf.; died of disease at Louisville, Ky.,
April 7, 1863.
Piquette, Nazareth, co. G, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Parker, Samuel, co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1863.
Plank, John, co. H, 18tli Inf. ; in. o. June 26, 1865.
Palmer, Byron B., co. H, 18th Inf. ; died in rebel prison, Cahaba,
Ala., Dee. 2, 1862.
Plank, Harrison D., eo. H, 18fh Inf. ; killed by explosion of steamer
Sultana, April 28, 1865.
Poupard, Alexander, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 12, 1865.
Peltier, John, eo. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Poupard, Samuel, Co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 12, 1865.
Poraeroy, Fernando C, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Pierce, Melvin, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Pennock, Ira, co. K, 18th Inf. ; died of disease at Decatur, Ala., Aug.
12, 1864.
Powlearland, George W., co. K, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Perry, Lewis, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Pula-rs, Alexander, eo. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 11, 1865.
Parrish, Barnard, eo. A, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Prairie, Stephen, eo. A, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Perry, Samuel, co. D, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Petee, Francis, co. F, 26th Inf. ; m. o. June 4, 1865.
Payne, William A., eo. M, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; m. o. at
NaehviUe, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Parker, Morgan, eo. F, 1st Engs. and Mechanics.
Parker, Burton, co. F, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; dis. for disab.
July 7, 1862.
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208 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTV
Parker, Morris, co. F, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; ra. o. at Nash-
ville. Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Probert, William, co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechanic ; in, o. at Nash-
ville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Pierce, George W., co. K, 1st Cav.; dia. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 20,
1863 ; m. 0. June 6, 1865.
Putnam, Nathan, co. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. for disab, July 18, 1864.
Parker, Charles P., co. F, 1st Cav. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22,
1864.
Putnam, Nathan G., co. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 20,
1864.
Palmiter, Noble B., co. M, 1st Cav.; m. o. July 17, 1865.
Perry, Joshua I,, co. B, 4th Cav. ; m, o. July 17, 1865,
Plues, William, co. C, 5th Cav.; died at Andersonville, Ga., fall of
1864.
Piatt, Williajn, co. D, 9th Cav.; trans, to V. R. C. Jan. 15, 1864.
Punry, James D., co. E, 9th Cav.
Patterson, Eli T., 8th (DeGolyer's) Bat.
Poll, Alexander, co. K, 102d U, S. C. T.; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Quirk, Michael, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Redfleld, James, Monroe; e. June 20, 1861, sergt. co. A, 4th Inf.; pro.
2d lieut. Nov. 1, 1861; 1st lieut., Jan. 1, 1862; res. for disah. Sept. 13,
1862.
Reisdorf, Benjamin, Monroe; 2d lieut. 11th Inf. Aug. 24, 1861 ; pro.
1st lieut, March 12, 1862 ; res. Dec. 16, 1862,
Rudolph, Jacob, co. K, 1st Inf.; died of wounds Sept, 16, 1864.
Roberts, James J., Monroe ; e. Dec. 20, 1861, sergt, co. G, 15th Tnf, ;
pro. 1st lieut. Nov. 1, 1864; eapt. June 6, 1865; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Rose, A. Morell, Monroe, 2d. lieut. 4th Inf. May 16, 1861 ; pro. 1st
Ueut. Sept. 25, 1861 ; capt. Jan. 1, 1862 ; killed in action, at Malvern Hill.
Va., July 1, 1862.
Ross, "William G., Exeter ; e. Aug. 24, 1861, sergt. co. T, 11th Inf. ;
pro. 1st lieut. July 13, 1864; not mustered as an oificer; m, o. Sept, 30,
1864.
Robinson, Henry, co. A, 4th Inf.; dia. at exp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Root, Jason, co. A, 4th Tnf. ; dis. at exp. of service, June 30, 1864.
Roberts, John B., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enhst as vet, Dec. 29,
1863.
Rudolph, Jacob, co. E, 4th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 25, 1863.
Rankin, Simon, co. E, 4th Inf.
Rankin, Erastus, co. E, 4th Inf.
Ranch, Peter, co. H, 4th Inf.
Regal, Isaiah, co. A, 4th Inf. ; trans, to V. R. C. Jan. 15, 1864.
Russell, Richard P., eo. G, 6th Inf. ; died of disease, at Vieksburg,
June 14, 1864.
Ransom, John B., co. D, 7th Inf. ; died of disease, at Camp Benton,
Feb. 4, 1862.
Rawson, Stephen, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. April 8, 1863.
Roach, Noyce, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet, Dec. 18, 1863.
Rod, John, CO. D, 7th Inf.
Roscoe, Frederick, co. D, 7th Inf. ; killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June
3, 1864,
Robert, Thomas, eo. D, 7th Inf. ; killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
Richardson, Addison D., co. K, 7th Inf.; killed at Cold Harbor, Va.,
June 4, 1864.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 209
Ross, William G., eo. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Reeves, Charles L., eo. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Feb. 26, 1863.
Rich, Lyman, co. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Feb. 14, 1862.
Rose, John, co. I, 11th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30, 1864.
Roberts, Hillery, co. 1, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
;1864.
Roberts, Anthony, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Regah, Ibraham, co. K, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Rapp, Daniel, eo. K, 11th Inf.; died of disease Jan. 26, 1863.
Reynolds, Corwin, co. K, 11th Inf.; dis. for disab. April 6. 1862.
Reed, John H., co. K, llth Inf.
Roberdoux, Joel, co. D, llth Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 21,
1863.
Rodgers, James H., co. K, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 24, 1862.
Robert, Joseph, co. D, llth Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Richmond, Silas, co. F, llth Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Raberdeau, Joel, co. D, 12th Inf.
Reynolds, Henry, co. B, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Reed, Benjamin, eo. G, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Raper, Charles J., co. A, 15th Inf.
Rapp, Christian, eo. B, 15th Inf.
Randall, Benjamin A., co. E, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. July 1, 1862.
Roberta, James J., co. G, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. March 25,
1864,
Rider, Elias L,, co. H, 15th Inf. ; died of disease on steamer Lancaster
June 29, 1862.
Rickley, Felix, co. H, 15th Inf. ; died of disease at Wonterey, Tenn.
Remly, Anthony, co. H, 15th Inf.; killed at Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3,
1862.
Roscoe, Marsell, eo. II, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 19,
1864; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Rickley, Peter, co. H, 1 5th Inf.; died of disease at Monterey, Tenn,,
June 20, 1862.
Roe, Julius, eo. H, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 12, 1864;
m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Roberts, Isadore, co. H. 15th Inf. ; trans, to V. R, C. March 4, 1864.
Roberts, Eli J., co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, March 30, 1865.
Reed, John H., co. K, 15th Inf.; dis, Sept. 8, 1862; died of disease
at Corinth, Miss., Sept. 15, 1862.
Raper, Charles J., eo. K, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. March
17, 1864.
Raftelle, Anthony, co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, March 30,
1865.
Reeves, Mark, co. G, 15th Inf.
Rippleman, Benjamin, co. P, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Rusher, Henry, co. H, 17th Inf.; dis. by order Sept. 26, 1864.
Raymond, Edward, co. C, 17th Inf.
Rowley, Lester, co. I, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Memphis, Tenn.,
June 17, 1863.
Rothenburgh, Harman, co. I, 1 7th Inf.; dis. March 18, 1865.
Rusoe, Jesse, co. I, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Nov. 26, 1862.
Relien, Antoine, co. G, 17th Inf. ; killed at Spottsylvania, Va., May
12, 1864.
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210 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Reinhard, Jacob, co. B, 17th Inf.; killed in the Wilderness, Va.,
May 6, 1864.
Rabideau, Gideon, eo. H, 17th Inf.; died of wounds May 17, 1864.
Relic, Antonio, eo. G, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Andersonville, Ga.,
Aug. 19, 1864,
Rowley, Homer W., co. B, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Reynolds, Joseph A., co. A, 17th Inf. ; dis. from V. R. C. by order,
July 21, 1865.
Rusher, Henry, co. B, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab.
Roberts, Melvin, co. D, 18th Inf.; trans, to i)th Mich. Inf.
Rogers, George, co. K, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Rankin, John P., eo. C, 18th Inf.; m. o. May 30, 1865.
Rabedue, Joseph, eo. C, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Rose, Alexander, eo. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Reeves, William C, eo. H, 18th Inf.
Richardson, Addison, eo, K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 21, 1865.
Rose, Euphratus, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; ra. o. June 24, 1865,
Robert, Oliver, co. K, 18th Inf, ; m. o. June 26, 1865,
Rouse, Henry, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 21, 1865.
Rankin, William J., eo. E, 18th Inf,; dis. by order Aug. 7, 1864,
Raynor, Edward A,, co. B, 24th Inf.; m, o. from V. R, C. June 8,
1865.
Regal, Isaac, eo. K, 1st Cav. ; dis. for disab.
Rowe, Pascall, co. K, Ist Cav.; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22, 1864.
Reynolds, Reuben, co. K, 1st Cav.
Ripley, Frajiklin, eo. M, 1st Cav.; m, o. July 17, 1865.
Redwood, Roberts, eo. H, 2d Cav. ; trans, to V. R. C. Feb. 15, 1865.
Roach, Harvey T., co. K, 3d Cav. ; dis. for disab. Sept. 25, 1862.
Rawson, John L., co. A, 4th Cav.
Ronan, John, co. G, 5th Cav.
Revard, Augustine, co. C, 5th Cav.
Reid, Francis, co. C, 5th Cav.
Ragan, Alexander, co. C, 5th Cav.
Roberts, Alexander, co. D. 9th Cav.; died of disease at Camp Nelson,
Ky., May 3, 1864,
Sigler, Isaac, Berlin; Aug, 30, 1862; aergt. eo. D, 1st Engineers and
Mechanics; pro. 2d lieut. Nov. 3, 1864; m. o. Sept. 22, 1865.
Simonds, James, Raisin ; 1st lieut. 6th Inf, Jan. 1864 ; not mustered.
Soleau, Adrian C, Frenehtown ; 2d lieut. 11th Cav. Aug. 1, 1863; pro.
capt. Jan. 10, 1865; trans, to 8th Cav. on consolidation, July 20, 1865;
died at Pulaski, Tenn., July 28, 1865.
Soleau, James J., Frenehtown ; e. Sept. 1, 1863, sergt. eo. E, 11th Cav. ;
pro. 1st lieut. Oct. 11, 1864 ; trans, to 8th Cav. on consolidation, July 20,
1865 ; m. o. Sept. 22, 1865.
Soleau, Francis X., Monroe, 2d lieut. 15th Inf. Jan. 1, 1862; pro.
capt. Oct. 1, 1862; wounded in action July 28, 1864; maj, June 7, 1864;
dis. for disab. as capt. Feb. 2, 1865.
Southworth, Charles T., Monroe ; surg. 18th Inf. Feb. 26, 1863 ; res.
June 11, 1864.
Spalding, James W., Monroe ; e. Dee. 15, 1862, sergt. maj, 18th Inf. ;
pro. 2d lieut. Sept. 28, 1863; eapt. 12th Tenn. Cav. April 30, 1864.
Spalding, George, Frenehtown; e. June 20, 1861, as sergt. co. A, 4th
Inf. ; pro. 1st lieut. Aug. 5, 1861 ; eapt. Jan. 13, 1862 ; wounded in left
shoulder in siege of Yorktown, Va., and was again wounded at Gaines'
Mill, Va., July 1, 1862; lieut. col. 18th Inf. July, 1862; res. Feb. 24,
1864, to accept promotion; eol 12th Tenn. Cav. Feb. 24, 1864; brev. brig.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 211
gen. U. S. Vol. March 21, 1865, "for valuable services in the battle of
Nashville, Tenn., and was dangerously wounded in that battle;" dis.
Oct. 24, 1865.
Spalding. Henry. D,, Monroe; 1st lieut. 18th Inf. July 27, 1862;
res. Dec. 27, 1862.
Stevens, John J., Monroe ; eapt. 18th Inf. July 27, 1862 ; m. o. June
26, 1865.
Saunders, Charles H., Monroe; e, from Wayne co. ; 2d lieut. co. C,
9th Cav. 1862 ; 2d lieut. in command co. K, 1863 ; 1st lieut. co. K, 1863 ;
eapt. 1863; on Gen. Carter's staff division ordnance officer, 1864; 3d
div. Cav. corps, Army of the Ohio.
Shasberger, Charles, co. C, 3d Inf.
Strong, Addison K., Monroe; chaplain 17th Inf.; app. Sept. 2, 1861;
res, July 7, 1862.
Strong, George A., Monroe; eapt. 15th Inf, Jan. 1, 1862; died April
10, 1862, of wounds received in action at Shiloh, Tenn., April 6, 1862.
Stoddard, Herbert L., eo. A, 4th Inf.; dis. Sept. 1, 1861.
Stoddard, Edgar C, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. Sept. 1, 1861.
Spath, Frederick C, eo. A, 4th Inf.; dis. by order Sept. 1, 1863.
St«wart, "William, co. A, 4th Inf, ; dis .for disab. July, 1862.
Suzor, Joseph, co. A, 4th Inf.
Shaw, George, eo. G, 4th Inf.
Sandbar, Joseph, co. H, 4th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 25, 1864.
Scranto, Alou20, eo. A, 4th Inf.
Sanford, Don H., co. F, 6th Inf.
Shirk, "William, co. K, 6th Inf. ; died of disease at New Orleans, Oct,
16, 1864.
Sevens, Lennan S., 7th Inf. ; dis. for disab.
Sailey, Augustus, co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Jan. 25, 1863.
Salter, Solomon C, co. D, 7th Inf.
Salter, William G., eo. D, 7th Inf.
Sloat, James S., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 14, 1862,
Smith, Denine, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 31, 1864.
Sawyer, A., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 14, 1862,
Shaw, Frank, co, D, 7th Inf. ; died in hospital June 14, 1862,
Sturgis, John, co. D, 7th Inf.
Spaulding, Phinias, co. E, 7th Inf.
Sherek, Thomas, co. K, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 9, 1863.
Struss, John, eo. D, 7tb Inf.; killed at battle of Malvern Hill. June
30, 1862.
Sisco, James F., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Doc, 18, 1863,
Southwiek, Albert, co. D, 9th Inf. ; died of disease, at Bowling Green,
Ky., Oct. 7, 1862.
Spaulding, Samuel, eo. C, 11th Inf.; dis. for disab.
Shenavarre, Jule, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp, of service, Sept. 30,
1864.
Spaulding. Charles H,, co. 1, 11th Inf. ; dis, for disab. Dee. 9, 1862.
Schock, Flaviua J., co. I, 11th Inf,; dis, at exp. of service. Sept. 30,
1864.
Schock, Aaron A,, eo. I, 11th Inf, ; died of disease, at Danville, Va.,
January, 1864.
Schock, William, co. 1, 11th Inf, ; dis. at exp, of service. Sept. 30, 1864.
Scott, Abraham, co. I, 11th Inf,; dis. to enlist in regular service Nov.
28, 1862.
Spencer, John. eo. 1, 11th Inf. ; died of disease, at Chattanooga, Tenn.
Dee. 4, 1863.
Stuart, Alonzo B., co. I, Uth Inf.; dis. for disab. Dec. 9, 1862.
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212 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Smith, George W., co. 1, 11th Inf. ; died of disease, at Nashville, Tenn.,
Nov. 13, 1862.
Smith, Oliver, eo. K, 11th Inf. ; died of disease Jan. 30, 1862.
Sheets, JoLd, co. C, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Stacy, William J., eo. H, 11th Inf. ; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865,
Shasbergher, John C, eo. B, 12th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept.
9, 1865.
Smith, Homer B., co. K, 12th Inf. ; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Solon, Francis, eo. C, 14th Inf. ; m. o. July 18th, 1865.
Schneider, Jacob, co. K, 15th Inf. ; trans, to V. R. C. April 30, 1864.
' Schneider, Fritz, eo. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 12,
1864; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Schneider, Addison, co. K, 15th Inf.; trans, to V. R. 0. April 130,
1864; dis. at exp. of service, March 18, 1865.
Seaman, Philip, co. K, 15th Inf.; killed before Atlanta, Ga., July 21,
1864.
Silye, Hiram, co. K, 15th Inf. ; died of disease April 21, 1862.
Southworth, Benjamin F., co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. June 17,
1862.
Sunderland, James, co. K, 15th Inf.
Sheyour, Abram, co. K, 15th Inf.
Settlebar, John L., co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, March 30,
1865.
Spalding, David P., co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 24,
1864;m. O.Aug. 13, 1865.
Stuart, Joseph B., co. A, 15th Inf.; died of disease at Berlin, Tenn.,
Aug. 9, 1862,
Slaughter, "William P., co. B, 15th Inf.
Shook, Henry, eo. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Statolebarger, John, co. B, 15th Inf.
Stewart, Joseph, T., co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. by order Jane 30, 1865.
Shenevaire, Edward, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, April
28, 1865.
Sauerant, Charles, eo. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service. Dee. 24,
1864.
Suzor, Benjamin, co. B, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Shovar, Eli, co. D, 15th Inf. ; dis. Sept. 3, 1862.
Sancrant, John, eo. G, 15th Inf.; died of disease, at Tullahoma,
Tenn., Nov. 16, 1863.
Schultz, Chris., co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 2, 1863.
Smith, John, co. G, 18th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 24, 1864;
m. 0. Aug. 13, 1865.
Sprague, Michael N,, co. H, 15th Inf.; died of disease, at St. Louis,
May 27, 1862.
Slick, Henry M., co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. May 31, 1863.
Stanbury, Byron, eo. H, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-en!ist as vet. Feb. 12,
1864; ra. o. Aug. 13,1865.
Shaw, Calvin M., eo. H, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Dec. 15, 1863.
Stebens, Christopher C, co. 1, 15th Inf.
Shenavarre, Joseph, eo. I, 15th Inf.
Schneider, Philip, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 4, 1863.
Shovare, Eli, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 2, 1864.
Smith, John C, co. D, I5th Inf.; killed near Marietta. Ga., July 9,
1864.
Shenevere, Francis, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Shenevere, Adolphus, eo. B, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Spaulding, Norton P., eo. C, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order June 7, 1865.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 213
Shafer, William P., eo. F, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Smith, Wilham, co. F, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Squires, Hiram G. D., eo. F, 15th Inf. ; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Sheldon, Stephen, co. H, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Sorter, Andrew, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Sergeant, Ezebiel, co. A, 17th Inf.
Simmons, Allen F., co. B, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Andersonville,
Ga.
Shocit, Sylivester, co. E, 17th Inf. ; died of disease while a prisoner,
Spaulding, Hiram, eo. E, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Fairfax Semi-
nary Hospital.
Strutton, Thomas "W., eo. E, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Anderson-
ville, Ga.
Spotts, John, CO. H, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Andersonville, Ga.,
Aug. 30, 1864.
Smith, "William, eo. II, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Andersonville,
Ga., Aug. 6, 1864.
Suzor, Moses, co. H, 17th Inf.; died of disease at Annapolis, Md.,
Feb. 9, 1865.
Seott, Henry M., co. A, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.; dia. by
order June 17, 1865.
Smith, Edward C, co. A, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Sancoraint, Columbus, co. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Smith, Enos, co. E, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Sancoraint, Eli, eo. G, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Sprague, William, eo. G, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Micff. Inf.
Simmonds, Thomas, co. G, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Spotts, Rufus, CO. H, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Shorah, Eli, co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
Spaulding,, George, co. B, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Dee. 13, 1864.
Shutleros, Eli, co. G, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Alexandria, Va.
Sorter, Richard, co. C, 17th Inf.
Segar, Garnet, eo. C, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Jan. 5, 1863.
Saiyer, Andrew, eo. C, 17th Inf.
Smith, Cornelius, co. I, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab. April 28, 1865.
Smith, Daniel, eo. I, 17th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Nov. 5, 1862.
Sturks, Eugene, co. I, 17th Inf.
Slaughter, William, co. I, 17th Inf.; dis. by order May 18, 1865.
Sullivan, Cornelius, eo. I, 17th Inf.
Seott, Cornelius, co. A, 17th Inf. ; killed at Spottsylvania, Va., May
12, 1864.
Sutton, John R., co. A, 17th Inf.; died of disease at Washington,
Spicer, George L., co. K, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab: May 25, 1863.
Suttin, Kubin, co. K, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Jan. 20, 1865.
Stoddard, Hiram C, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Smith, Francisco C. G., co. K, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Dec. 27, 1862.
Shetelroe, John, co, K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 8, 1865.
Shetelroe, Isadore, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 8, 1865.
Stump, George, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 8, 1865.
Smith, Jasper, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Snyder, James, co. H, 18th Inf. ; died of disease at Decatur, Ala.,
July 22, 1864.
Sutton, James A., co. D, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Shatero, Moses, eo. F, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Stevenson, Ala.,
Dee. 21, 1864.
Spriggs, William, co. G, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Sidier, Vincent, co. K, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
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214 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Stoddard, George, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Stoddard, Freeman, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf.
Sliek, Jacob S., eo. B, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 17, 1865.
Snell, Sylvester M., co. B, 18th Inf. ; dis. for promotion Feb. 22, 1865.
Shateroe, Dominiek, eo. F, 18th Inf. ,- m. o. June 26, 1865.
Sullier, John, co. H, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Sulier, Leon, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 13, 1865.
Stevens, David S., 18th Inf.
Sctftnton, Eramro, co, H, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Lexington,
Ky., Dee. 22, 1862.
Slayton, James J., co. H, 18th Inf.
Squires, Asa, eo. K, 18th Inf.
Snyder, David S., co. H, 18th Inf.; killed by explosion of steamer
Sultana, April 28, 1865.
Smith, Henry 0., eo. H, 18th Inf.
Sandford, Reuben, co. H, 18th Inf.
Shell, Henry, co. H, 18th Inf.
Springer, Samuel C, eo. H, 18th Inf.
Seranton, John, co. H, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Sept. 2, 1862.
Snedicor, Witemas D., co. H, 18th Inf.
Salisbury, Ambrose, eo. K, 18th Inf.; dis. by order July 10, 1864.
Snell, Sylvester M., eo. K, 18th Inf.
Spalding, Julius H., co. K, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. May 2, 1863.
Spalding, Rush B., co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. by order, Oct. 21, 1864.
Spalding, Edwin, co. A, 18th Inf. ; died of disease at Decatur, Ala.,
Oct. 7, 1864.
Smith, Charles N., co, D, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Smith, "William W., co. A, 24th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 28, 1863.
Southworth, William, eo. G, 24th Inf.; dis. for disab. Nov. 2, 1863.
Smith, Henry, co. C, 24th Inf.; dis. for disab. June 3,. 1865.
Sherwood, Harlem S., eo. H, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Simmons, Lewis, co. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs. ; m. o. at Nashville,
Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865.
Southard, Robert M., co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs. ; dis. at exp. of
service, Oct. 31, 1864.
Shed, Charles, eo. F, 1st Engs. and Meehs; dis. for disab, April 24,
1862.
Spaulding, Norton P., co. F, 1st Engs, and Mechs.; dis. for disab.
May 22, 1862.
Seofield, Rufus W., co. P, 1st Engs. and Meehs. ; dis. at exp. of ser-
vice, Oct. 31, 1864.
Smith, Bartholomew, eo. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; dis. for disab. Dec.
1, 1863.
Steel, Jacob, co. E, Ist Cav. ; dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22, 1864.
Sweeney, William H., co. E, 1st Cav, dis. at exp. of service, Aug. 22,
1864.
Spencer, Richard, eo. K, Ist Cav.; m. o. Nov. 16, 1865.
Smith, William, eo. M, 1st Cav. ; m. o. July 27, 1865.
Snover, James, eo. M, Ist Cav. ; m. o. June 29, 1865.
Sweet, Earl E., co. M, 1st Cav.; m. o. May, 1865.
Seranton, Abraham, co. L, 2d Cav. ; trans, to V. R. C. Feb. 15, 1865.
Stewart, Henry A., co. L, 2d Cav. ; m. o. Aug. 30, 1865.
Sprague, Wells, co. A, 4th Cav. ; m. o. July 1, 1865.
Stebbins, Sylvester, eo. A, 4th Cav.; dis. for disab. Jan. 28, 1863.
Stoddard, William, co. C, 5th Cav.
Snowball, Henry, co. C, 5th Cav.
Swan, Peno M., eo. C, 5th Cav. ; dis. for disab. Sept. 2, 1862,
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1863
HISTOEY OF MONKOB COUNTY 215
Sainerton, A., w. E, 9th Cav.
Smith, Edward P., 8th (Deeolyer's) Battery.
Spaulding, Charles 0, 8th (DeGolyer's) Battery
Shebish, George, 8th (DeGeilyer'a) Battery; dis. for disab. Oct. 5,
Schall Peter, co. D, 1st Sharp Shooters, m. o. June 3, 1865.
Sofer, Joseph, Co. E, 1st Eegt. Engs. Mo. Vol
Sloan, Myron E., WiUits' Sharp Shooters.
Taylor, Lorrison, J., Monroe; capt. 11th Int.; Mar. 1, 1865; m. 0.
'^'''Tracy^David B., Petersburg; chaplain 1st Engineers and Mechanics;
e. Sept. 12, 1861; res. June 22, 1863. ,^.^ -, , t » 1
Twoomey, Michael, Monroe; 1st lieut. and q. m. 15th int.; e. Jan, 1,
1862;res. Sept. 3, 1862.
Teachart, Charles, co. A, 4th Inf. . ^.n i BRi
Taylor A. A., co. A, «h Inf. ; dis. at eip. of seryice June 30 1864.
Thurlack, Charles, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2,
Turner, James A., CO. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, .lune 30,
1864.
Totton, Joseph, Co. G, 4th Inf.
Taylor, Nelson, CO. F, 6th Int. j. , „ . o, laiii
Tracy, William, co. D, 7th Inf . ; dis. for disab. Oct. 21 1861
Thoinpaon, Henry C, oo. D, 7th Int.; dis. tor disab. Jan. 25, 1863.
Thompson, William W., CO. D, 7th Inf.
Thompson, Henry, eo. D, 7th Int. . , ^. ^ c, , iv laeo
Thomas, Charles W., CO. D, 7th Int. ; killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
Teall, Noah W., co. K, 7th Int.
Thirds, William, Co. K, 7th Int. . o *
Thompson, Simon 0„ co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, Sept.
30, 1864. ,. , T^ u 1H 10CO
Tatt, Thomas, eo. 1, 11th Inf. ; dis. lor disab. Feb 14, 186,!.
Teal' George, co. K, 11th Inf. . c * ^n
Teal! Stephen P., Co. K, 11th Int. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30,
Teal Charles, co. K, 11th Inf. ; dis. at exp. ot service, Sept. 30, 1864.
Treet, Jacob, Co. K, 11th Inf. ; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Thayer, Samuel, eo. I, 11th Inf. ; killed at Chickamauga, Tenn, Sept.
20,1863.
Tuney, Robert, eo. B, 15th Int.
Thomey, Martin, Co. B, IBth Inf.; killed at Sh.loh, Tenn,, May 10,
■'^^Tinker, J. W., Co. G, 15th Int. ; died ot disease at 6th div. hosp.,
"'Ttehworth, Alexander, co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab June 12, 1862.
Talt Thomas, eo. 1, 15th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service March ib, ima.
Tennant, Nathan, co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. April 8, 1862.
Thompson, Thomas, co. K, 15th Inl; mo. Aug. 16, 186^.
Teal, Miehael A, co. F, 15tb Inf.; dis. by order May 30, 1865.
Tedwell, Francis M., co. G, 16th Int. ; m. o. July 8, 1865.
Tabor, William, CO. C, 17th Int. 3. ^ at i. o laci
Thompson, Bdiiund L., co. C, 17th Inf. ; dis. tor disab. March 9, 1863.
Theviny Prank, 00. D, 17th Int. ; dis. Oct. 28, 1862
Tolo Thomas, co. G, 17th Int.; died of disease at AndcrsonviUc, Ga,
''°'Tr™bly'!'*John, co. G, 17th Int. ; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf.
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216 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Taylor, John, co. H, IVth Inf. ; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Tibballs, James, eo. H, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. June 3, 1863.
Troop, Orange, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Teali, Timothy I., eo. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 18fi5.
Teall, Williain, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Teall, James, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 15, 1865.
Teall, Lemuel, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Trombiy, Eli, co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. June 9, 1863.
Taylor, Lucius, co K, 18th Inf. ; died of disease at Decatur, Ala., Aug.
9, 1864.
Tucker, Alfred W., co. A, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich, Inf.
Thomason, Israel, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 10, 1865.
Thompson, Jacob, co. F, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Thayer, Benjaram II., co. F, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; dis. at
exp. of service, Oct. 31, 1864.
Townsend, Chester, co. K, 1st Cav.
Townsend, Hezekiah, co. K, 1st Cav.
Temperance, H., co. D, 9th Cav.; died of disease Oct. 4, 1864.
Turner, James, co. D, 9th Cav.; trans, to V. R. C. Jan. 15, 1864.
Tyler, Kimball, co. E, 9th Cav. ; dis. for disab.
Tobin, David, 8th (DeGolyer's) Bat.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. March
10, 1864.
Taylor, Frank, co. D, 102d U. S. C. T. ; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Twist, Oliver, co. G, 102d U. S. C. T. ; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Ukle, Frederict, co. D, 7th Inf. ; died of disease at Camp Denton, Md.
April, 1862.
Upsell, Moses, co. K, 11th Inf.
XJnar Alexander, co. K, 11th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 22, 1863.
Underbill, Joseph, co. G, 12th Inf. ; ra. o. Feb. 15, 1866.
Ublacker, Michael, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 1,
1864 ;m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Uckell, Martin, co. K, 18th Inf.
Villette, Charles, eo. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. for disab. March 21, 1863.
Vandewenter, William, co. D, 7th Inf.
Verdeu, George F., eo. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. March 19, 1862.
Van Wormer, Oscar, eo. D, 7th Inf.; missing in action at Ream's
Station, Va., Aug. 25, 1864.
Valade, Peter, co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. t« re-enlist as vet. Dec. 18, 1863.
Valade, "William, co. D, 7th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Dec. 26, 1863 ;
killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864.
Vanness, Sybrant, co. J), 7th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Dec. 7, 1862.
Van Sehoick, Abram, eo. I, 11th Inf.
Van Miller, Leeman, co. K, 11th Inf.; died of disease Feb. 15, 1862.
Van Liew, Henry J., co, K, 11th Inf. ; died of disease June 14, 1862.
Vidder, Charles, co. B, 15th Inf.
Vannocker, Sylvester, co. II, 15th Inf. ; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865.
Vanclete, James, co. D, 17th Inf.
Vanest, James, co. I, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 1, 1865.
Vessance, Hugh, eo. G, 17th Inf.; died at Spottsylvania of wounds,
May, 1864.
Vincent, John, co. G, 17th, Inf.; killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 13,
1864.
Vedder, Alvah, co. H, 18th Inf. ; died of disease at Lexington, Ky.,
Jan. 13, 1863.
VanAntwerp, C. W., co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 217
Viekery, Gilbert, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Van Gieson, Richard, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Van Ness, Fleming, co. H, 18th Inf. ; trans, to 9th Mieh. Inf.
Vreland, Wiler, co, H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Van Sehoiek, Franklin, eo. F, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 30, 1865.
Vealey, l^hilip F., eo. F, 26th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Dec. 24, 1864.
Viets, George W., co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs. ; dis. at exp. of service,
Oct. 31, 1864.
Vanzandt, Tunis, co. F, Ist Engs. and Meehs. ; dis. for disab. May
6, 1862.
Vietfs, Harrison, co. L, 1st Enga. and Mechs. ; m. o. at Nashville, Tenn.,
Sept. 22, 1865.
Vanortwick, Cyrus, eo. L, 1st Engs. and Meehs. ; dis. by order July
12, 1865.
Vincent, N. P., co. D, 9th Cav.; died of disease Sept., 1864.
Vennette, John, co. E., 9th Cav.
Webb, Rollin S., Monroe; e. Aug. 21, 1862, as sergt. (;o. C, 5th Cav.
pro. 2d lieut. April 14, 1865 ; m. o. June 22, 1865.
Whipple, John C, Monroe; 1st lieut. 18th Inf.; e. Aug. 13, 3862;
pro. adjt. Oct. 6, 1862; capt. April 17, 1864; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Winans, Frazey M., Monroe; lieut. col. 7th Inf.; e. June 39, 1861;
res. May 21, 1862.
Wells, Charles, co. A, 4th Inf.; died at New York of wounds, Aug.
27, 1862.
Watkins, Wililam H., co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Fredericksburg, Va.,
Dec. 13, 1862,
White, John, co. A, 4th Inf. ; in. o. Aug. 10, 1862.
Watson, Clark, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Malvern Hill, Va., July
I, 1862.
Walters, John, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Malvern Hill, Va., July 1,
1862.
Wagner, Levi, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 22, 1861.
Woodward, Edwin, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist Jan. 20, 1864.
Whipple, George G., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Whipple, George M., co. A, 4th Inf.; died of disease at Alexandria,
June 27, 1863.
Webster, Lorain, co. G, 4th Inf, : killed at Spottsylvania, Va., May
II, 1864.
Webster, Edwin, eo. G, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Be.^. 29, 1863.
Watson, William C, co. A, 4th Inf. ; dis, at exp. of service, June 30,
1864.
Waters, William, co. D, 7t-h Inf.
Widman, William, co. D, 7th Inf.
Wourrell, John P., eo. D, 17th Inf.; killed at battle of Malvern Hill,
Va.. June 30, 1862.
Weatherby, George, eo. K, 7th Inf.; killed near Petersburg, Va., Oct,
13, 1864.
Wagner, George A., co. D, 11th Inf. ; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865,
Wagner, John, co. D. 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865.
Wait, James W., eo. I, lltti Inf. ; killed at Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
White, Levi, co. I. llth Inf. ; dis. for disab. Dec. 13, 1862._
Wilson, William W.. co. I, llth Inf. ; died of disease in military prison,
Andersonviile. Oa., June 17, 1864.
Winters, Lewis, co. I, llth Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30, 1 864.
Waters, Henry, co. I, ] 1th Inf. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 30, 1864,
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218 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Whipple, Ezra S., to. 1, 11th Inf. ; trans, to V. R. C. Jan. 15, 1864.
Werman, Hanibal A., eo. I, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.
Wade, Nathan, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 25, 1862.
Wagner, Christopher, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. June 15, 1862.
Wagner, Charles, co. B, 15th Inf. ; died of disease Oct. 5, 1862.
Wagner, Charles, co. G, 15th Inf.
Whither, Charles, eo. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Aug. 25, 1865.
Woodberry, Eli, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, April 7, 1865.
Woodberry, David, eo. H, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Oct. 13, 1862.
Wells, Bay, co. H, 15th Inf. ; died of disease April 26, 1862.
Wyman, Robert, eo. 1, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 14, 1864.
Welch, Joseph, co. I, 15th Inf.
Warner, Edward, eo. K, 15th Inf. ; died of disease May 4, 1862.
Wright, Terrall, co. K, 15th Inf.
Willard, Justin, co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. July 11, 1862.
Wright, Elias, eo. I, 15th Inf. ; dis. to re-enlist Feb. 14, 1864.
Wing, Elijah, co. G, 17th Inf. ; trans, to 2d Mieh. Inf.
Wraight, Daniel, co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 26, 1862.
Weeman, George, eo. C. 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Walter, Joseph, co. C, 17th Inf.
Wilson, Henry T., eo. C, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865.
Welle, John, co. C, 17th Inf. ; m. o. June Z, 1865.
Wallis, Joseph, co. C, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 21, 1863.
Wing, Albert, co. G, 17th Inf. ; died of disease, at Andersonville, Ga.,
Sept. 17, 1864.
Whitney, Dewitt C, co. II, 18th Inf,
Wadsworth, Elihu, co. H, 18th Inf.
Warner, Daniel, co. H, 18th Inf.
Woodward, William, co. H, 18th Inf.
Walter, Israel, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; dis. for disab. Jan. 2, 1863.
Wagner, Levi, eo. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Wood, Simon M., co. B, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Wright, Nelson D., eo. K, 18th Inf, ; killed at Decatur, Ala., June 24,
1864.
Walker Joseph, co, K, 18th Inf.
Walker, Adam, co. K, 18th Inf.
Wiekart, Abraham B., co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 9, 1865.
Woodward, Robert, co, K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865.
Woods, David, eo. D, 18th Inf.; died of disease at Stevenson, Ala.,
Dee. 16, 1864.
Wheeler, Curtis J., eo. H, 18th Inf. ; died of disease, at Dundee, Mich.,
Oct. 26, 1865.
Woodbury, Lyman, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 28, 1865.
White, Luther, co. K, 24th Inf. ; m. o. June 28, 1865.
Ward, Jared, eo. F, 26th Inf.; m. o. June 4, 1865.
White, Major L., co. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs. ; m. o. at Nashville, Tenn.,
Sept. 22, 1865.
Walker, Archibald, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; m. o. at Nashville, Tenn.,
Sept. 22, 3865.
Walker, William W., eo. E, 1st Engs. and Mechs. ; dis. Dee. 16, 1862.
Wilson, Ira M., co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs. ; died of disease, April
5, 1862.
Wilson, William, co. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs. ; dis. by order July 3,
1865.
Walsh, Julius M., eo. M, 1st Cav. ; m. o. July 17, 1865.
Webb, James E., co. K, lat Cav. ; dis. at exp. of service, Sept. 16, 1864.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 219
Wheaton, John N., eo, K, 1st Cav. : dia. at exp. of service, Sept. 16
1864.
Wait, Charles, co. K, 1st Cav.
"Wilcox, George, eo. K, 1st Cav.; dis. to re-en!ist as vet. Dec. 20, 1863.
Whaley, Wiliiam, co. B, 1st Cav. ; m. o. Aug. 3, 1865.
Webber, Jacob S., co. M., 1st Cav. ; m. o. June 20, 1865.
Wells, William H., co. M, 1st Cav.; m. o. June 12, 1865.
Wells, Alvin E., co. M, 1st Cav. ; in. o. June 12, 1865.
Winters, Myron L., eo. A, 4th Cav. ; dis. for disab. May 20, 1864.
Warner, Marshall, co. B, 5th Cav.
Webb, Egbert, co. C, 5th Cav.
Webb, RoUin S., co. C, Sth Cav.
White, Wilson, eo. B, 9tii Cav. ; dis. for disab. June 26, 1863.
Williams, John, co. A, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Wallace, Zachariah, co. H, 102d U. S. C. T., m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Wickhara, W. II., co. D, 9th Cav. ; dis. for disab.
Yesant, Courrnaia, co. G, 15th Inf.; killed at Shiloh, Tenn., April 9.
1862.
York, John, co. B, 15th Inf. ; dis. for disab. July 27, 1862.
Yenoir, Nicholas, co. G, 17th Inf. ; died of disease at Charleston, S. C,
Aug., 1864.
Young, Spencer, co. K, 18th Inf. ; m. o. June 21, 1865.
Zachariaa, Allen H., Monroe, 1st. lieut, 7th Inf., June 19, 1861; pro.
eapt. March 10, 1862; died Jan. 1, 1863, of wounds received in action at
Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862.
Zach arias, Alexander, co. K, 7th Inf.
Zimmerman, Joseph, co. K, 15th Inf. ; dis. Jlarch 20, 1863.
Zimmerman, Baptiste, co. G, 15th Inf.; died of rtisease April 22, 1862.
3 history is iuilebteil for permiB-
ToTAL Enlistment in County
The aggregate number to the credit of Monroe county during the
operation of the enrollment system, together with the number of men
enlisting previously to the adoption of that system, as reported to the
adjutant general's office as residents of Monroe county, and the total
approximately of the whole number of troops furnished by Monroe
county from the beginning to the close of the war is tabulated as follows :
Enlisted in army under enrollment system 691
Veterans re-enlisted in the field 115
Enlisted in navy 1
Drafted men commuting 37
Product of draff in men 235
Term of service credited 1 year 344
Term of service credited 2 years 2
Term of service credited 3 years 733
Total credited in number under enrollment system 1,079
Enlistment previous to September 19, 1863 1,191
Approximate totals during the war 2,270
Being ten per cent of its population.
Table showing the number of men raised by enlistment and draft in
the towns of Monroe county and wards of Monroe City between Novem-
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220
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
ber 1, 1864, and the suspension of recruiting, April 14, 1865, together
with the number previously raised therein under the enrollment system,
and the total number credited to each sub-district during the period
in which that system was in operation, from September 19, 1863, to
the close of the war.
Ash 12
Exeter 6
London 2
Milan 1
Dundee 5
Raisinville 11
Frenchtown 9
Monroe — ^Ist ward . , 15
" —2d ward .. 20
" —3d ward .. 2
Monroe town 1
La Salle 6
Ida 4
Summerfield 7
Whiteford 10
Bedford 18
Erie 25
Totals 154
10
20
30
42
78 158
74
232
847 1079
A large proportion of the enlistments from Monroe county were in
the Fourth, Seventh, Seventeenth and Eighteenth Regiments, though
many enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Infantry, and Fifth Cavalry, and
others raised in other parts of the state, where men from Monroe tempo-
rarily resided. In the limited space which can be allowed in this work
it is obviously impossible to follow the fortunes of any save the com-
panies organized in Monroe; of these much detailed information has
been furnished, though sometimes inadequate. However, in our account
of enlistments from the city and county, it is believed that the name of
every man has been given, and so arranged in alphabetical order that
a reference can be made with facility, to the record of each one.
FouKTH Michigan Infantry
The Fourth Regiment of Infantry was recruited mainly from the
southern tier of counties, from Monroe to St. Joseph counties, and many
of these volunteers were members of local organizations which enlisted
in a body, as in the ease of the Smith Guards of Monroe. The Fourth
Infantry rendezvoused at Adrian, where it was organised by Colonel
Dwight A. "Woodbury of Adrian who was elected colonel of the regiment,
with William W. Duffield of Detroit, lieutenant-colonel ; Jonathan W.
Childs, of Ypsilanti, major. This regiment was one of the tirst to enlist
under the first call for troops for three months' service. Conforming
to army regulations the companies dropped their local nomenclature
and were given alphabetical designations so that "The Smith Guards
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mSTOET OF MONROE COUNTY 221
of Monroe" were afterwards known as Company A, Fourth Regiment.
The Company was officered as follows : Constant Luce, of Monroe, cap-
tain; John M. Oliver, of Monroe, first lieutenant; A. Morrell Rose, of
Monroe, second lieutenant. The regiment was recruited to its full army
strength and left its encampment at Adrian for Washington, on June
25, 1861, with 1,025 officers and enlisted men, arriving at its destination
on the 2d of July, immediately going into camp near Georgetown, D. C,
with the Second and Third Michigan Infantry,
This regiment aided efficiently as also did the Second, Third and
Fifth regiments, in the construction of the defenses of Washington,
They were subsequently engaged at Hanover Court House May 27,
1862, at Mechaniesville June 26th, and on the 27th at Gaines Hill ; also
at Savage Station June 29th, at Turkey Bend June 30th, at White
Oak Swamp on the same day, and on July 1st at Malvern Hill, where it
became conspicuously engaged, losing its colonel, with Captain A. M.
Rose, of Monroe. This was the most fiercely fought battle in which the
Fourth was engaged. After the death of Colonel Woodbury, Lieutenant-
Colonel Childs was promoted to the colonelcy. When the campaign on
the Peninsula ended, the Fourth Regiment returned with the army and
entered on the "Pope campaign." This regiment, in command of Colo-
nel Childs, was also in the engagement at Gainesville, August 29, 1862,
Beese Run August ,30th, at Antietam September 17th following, at
Shepardstown Ford, September 20, 1862. The regiment returned again
to the Potomac from the Maryland campaign; was in the battle of
Fredericksburg, December 13th and 14th. Among the killed in the
latter battle was Lieutenant John Clark of Monroe.
The regiment was also engaged at Snicker's Gap, Va., November
14, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va., December U, 14, 1862; Morrisville, Va.,
December 30th and 31st; United States Ford, Va., January 1, 1863;
Chancellorsville, Va., May 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1863; Kelley's Ford. Va.. Janu-
ary 9, 1863; Ashby's Gap, Va., June 21, 1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July
2, 3, 4, 1863; Williamsport, Md., July 12, 1863; Wapping Heights
Va., July 21, 1863 ; Culpepper, Va., October 13, 1863 ; Brandy Station,
Va., October 13, 1863; Bristo Station, Va., October 14, 1863; Rappa-
hannock Station, Va., November 7, 1863; Cross Roads, Va., November
26, 1863; Mine Run, Va., November 29, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 5,
6, 7, 1864; Laurel HiD, Va., May 8, 1864; Po River, Va., May 10, 1864;
Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864; Ny River, Va., May 21, 1864; North
Anna, Va., May 23, 1864; Jericho Mills, Va., May 24, 1864; Noel's Turn,
Va., May 26, 1864 ; Tolopotomy, Va., May 30, 1864 ; Magnolia Swamp,
Va., June 1, 1864; Bethesda Church, Va., June 2, 1864; Petersburg,
Va., June 18, 1864.
The total membership of the Fourth had been during its service
1,325, while its losses were 273, of which 8 officers and 115 men were
killed in action, i officers and 50 men died of wounds and 1 officer and
95 men of disease.
By this record it will be seen that the Fourth Regiment had its full
share of action.
Seventh Regiment
The companies that composed the Seventh Regiment joined their
regiment at Monroe. On the formation thereof the companies received
an alphabetical designation, which they assumed in the regiment in place
of their local names. The field and staff were : Colonel, Ira R. Grosvenor,
of Monroe; lieutenant-colonel, Frazey M. Winans, of Monroe; major,
Nathaniel B. Eldridge, Lapeer ; adjutant, Henry B. Landon, of Monroe.
The Monroe Light Guards, designated as Company D, was officered
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222 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
by: Captain, James Darrah; first lieutenant, Sylvaiius W. Curtis; sec-
ond lieutenant, Henry B. Landon ; all of Monroe.
The Seventh Regiment after spending the summer in camp on the
old fair grounds in Monroe, left for Virginia on the 5th of September,
1861, in command of Colonel Ira B. Grosvenor, of Monroe, its muster
rolls showing the names of 884 officers and enlisted men. The regiment
lay on the Upper Potomac during the winter and was engaged in the
disastrous action at Ball's Bluff, being in Lander's brigade of Stone's
division.
A few weeks after the Seventh reached the front, and while it was
stationed on the Upper Potomue, near Leesburg, a stand of silk regula-
tion colors was purchased and given to the regiment by Colonel Gros-
venor, commanding. On one of the stripes was inscribed the motto,
"Tuebor. " In July, 1864, while in the field near Petersburg, Corporal
"Williams brought for the regiment a Michigan state flag of heavy blue
silk, trimmed with gold fringe, presented by the ladies of Monroe, on
which were inscribed in gold embroidery the battles of the regiment.
It was of rare beauty, and on it were also embroidered the State arms,
with the motto "Tnebor," surmounted by an eagle with a scroll, on
which was inscribed, "Seventh Michigan Volunteers." Below the eoat
of arms was. a double scroll, with the inscription, ' ' Forlorn hope of
Fredericksburg, December 11, 1862" and underneath, "From the ladies
of Monroe."
It followed MeClellan to the Peninsula in the spring of 1862, was
in the third brigade, second division, second corps, and sustained severe
loss in the battles of that campaign, being engaged at Yorktown, April
4 to May 5; West Point, Va., May 7; Fair Oaks, May 31 to June 1;
Peach Orchard and Savage Station, June 29 ; White Oak Swamp and
Glendale. June 30 ; Malvern Hill, July 1 ; Bull Rim 2d, August 30.
At Fair Oaks the Seventh was in Dana's brigade of Sumner's corps,
and towards night of that fearful struggle the Confederates were press-
ing forward with great vigor, and the regiment became heavily engaged
in the charge referred to in the following account:
B. J. Lossing who says: "For a moment the National line was bent
and seemed ready to break, but the clear voice of Burns calling out,
' Steady men, steady ! ' gave them such inspiration that they broke into
loud cheers and held the position firmly. In the face of their terrible
volleys the Confetlerates pressed on and charged Brady's battery, whose
murderous fire of canister, poured into their compact ranks, made fear-
ful lanes and sent them hack in confusion to the woods in their rear.
Undismayed by their repulse and the loss of their chief (General John-
ston), the Confederates again advanced, just as darkness came on, and
endeavored to outflank Sumner's right, where General Dana had joined
Gorman. After fighting heavily for some time Sumner ordered a
bayonet charge by five of his regiments. This was bravely performed.
The regiments leaped two fences between them and their foes, rushing
upon the Confederate line and broke it in hopeless confusion."
Following the battle of Bull Run, the Seventh entered upon the
Maryland campaign under the command of Colonel Norman J. Hall, a
son of the Rev. William Hall, a Presbyterian minister of London, Mon-
roe county, then first lieutenant of the Fifth U. S. Artillery. Col. Hall
was a graduate from the Michigan Military Academy and had been
eomissioned colonel of the regiment July 7th preceding, to supply
the vacancy caused by the resignation of Col. Grosvenor. The regiment
in the battle of Gettysburg is graphically described.
"On the evening of the first day of July, 1863, this regiment, under
the command of Lieutenant Colonel Steele, reached a point some four
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HISTORY OP MONBOE COUNTY 223
miles south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and formed in line a short
distance to the left of the road, and extending into the woods on the
southern slope of a high and conical hill. Immediately after arriving
in position pickets were thrown out on the left flank, and a breastwork
made of some rails lying near our line. The men then prepared and
ate their suppers and lay on their arms. At 5 A. M., on the next day
it marehed on the Gettysburg road to a point on Cemetery Hill, near
the center of our line of battle. Here this regiment, with the Pifty-
Nintli New York, was ordered forward to the front to support a battery.
AVe were posted about one hundred and fifty yards to the left of the
summit of the hill, about two acres of which was covered with a dense
growth of small oaks; our left rested on the battery, our right was
partially concealed by a cluster of small trees and shrubs. We had then
present fourteen officers and one hundred and fifty-one muskets. Im-
mediately on getting into position barricades were made of rails, and
partially screened from observation by bushes. Skirmishing commenced
in front of us immediately after getting into position, and continued
until 4:15 P. M., when the enemy's artiUery opened upon us, and a
general artillery duel soon commenced and continued without inter-
mission until 5 P. M., when the fire slackened, and their infantry col-
umns were seen advancing on our line. They succeeded in passing
through between the guns of the battery on our left, driving the gun-
ners from their posts. The line on our left gave way, and our flank was
almost turned, but the enemy's line was fast melting away under the
scathing fire of our men, who remained unflinchingly at their posts, and
they soon retired in utter confusion, leaving a large number of dead
and wounded.
"They also left in front of us three stands of colors, which were
picked up by other regiments who followed them up, A large number
of prisoners fell into our hands, and were immediately sent to the
rear, among them one colonel slightly wounded in one of his fingers,
and several minor officers. This ended the fight for the day. The sec-
ond day's engagement was fought with gallantly by the regiment,
though suffering severe losses."
The regiment was mustered out of service, and in command of Colo-
nel LaPointe, reached Jackson, Mich., on the 7th, where it was paid otf
and disbanded.
The Seventh was engaged at Ball's Bluff, Va., October 21, 1861;
Yorktown. Va., April i to May 4, 1862; West Point, Va., May 7, 1862;
Pair Oaks, Va., Jlay 31 to June 1, 1862 ; Peach Orchard, June 29, 1862 ;
Savage Station. June 29, 1862; W^hite Oak Swamp, Va.. June 80, 1862;
Glendale, Va.. June 30. 1862; Malvern Hill, Va.. July 1, 1862; Bull
Run, Va,, August 29 and 30, 1862; South Mountain, Md., September
14, 1862 ; Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862 ; Fredericksburg,
Va., December 11, 12 and 13, 1862; Chaneellorsville, Va., May
3 and 4, 1863 ; Haymarket, Va., June — , 1863 ; Gettysburg,
Penn., July 2 and 3, 1863; Palling Waters, Md., July 14, 1863; Bristo
Station, Va.. .November 27, 1863; Robertson's Tavern. Va., November
29, 1863; Mine Run, Va., November 29, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May
5 and 6. 1864; Po River, Va., Mav 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, Va., May
12, 1864; North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864; Ny River, Va.. May 24,
1864; Tolopotomy, Va., May 30 and 31 and June 1, 1864; Cold Harbor,
Va., June 3, 1864; Petersburg, Va., June 18 and 22, 1864; Deep Bottom,
Va., July 27 and 28, 1864; Strawberry Plains, Va., August 14 and 17,
1864: Ream's Station, Va., August 25, 1864; Boynton Road, Va., Octo-
ber 27. 1864; Hatcher's Run, Va., February 5, 1865; Hatcher's Run,
Va,. March 29, 1865; Cat Tail Creek, Va., April 2, 1865; Parmville,
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224 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
Va-, April 7, 1865; siege of Petersburg, Va., from June 17, 1864, to
April 3, 1865.
It had a total membership of 1,393. Its losses were: Killed in
action, 6 officers, 123 men; died of wounds, 5 officers, 47 men; of disease,
3 officers, 154 men; a total of 338 officers and men.
Enlistment op July, 1862
The President called for another enlistment of men on July 2, 1862,
this time for 300,000, under which call Michigan's quota was 11,686.
Two regiments of infantry were authorized to be raised and were ap-
portioned to eongression^ districts; these were the Eighteenth and
Twenty-Fourth. Under a recent order, the recruiting for each of these
regiments was to be confined exclusively to its own district. The first
Was assigned to the first district, to be recruited in Hillsdale, Lenawee
and Monroe counties; while Wayne, the other county in the district,
undertook to raise the Twenty-Fourth regiment alone in addition, which
it succeeded in doing in a surprisingly short time, considering the al-
ready large numbers which had previously gone to the front from this
portion of the state.
Mulligan (Fifteenth) Regiment
The Fifteenth Regiment, or the Mulligan Regiment as it was called,
rendezvoused at Monroe and was recruited to the minimum strength
of 869 men, enlisting from Monroe and adjacent counties. The organi-
zation of the regiment was completed and it was mustered into the
service on March 20th, 1862, and broke camp at Monroe one week later,
taking the cars for their departure amid the enthusiastic cheers and
farewells of a very large assemblage of the people of the city and neigh-
boring towns. Their destination was the army of the southwest, under
General Grant.
Those officers of the Fifteenth who were residents of Monroe, were
John M. Oliver, colonel; James G. MeBride, adjutant; Michael Twoomey,
quartermaster. Company officers: Co. B. Richard Loranger, captain;
Moses A. LaPointe, first lieutenant ; Jas. MeBride, second lieutenant. Co.
E, Augustus H, Phelps, first lieutenant. Co. F, James F. Adams, second
lieutenant. Co. G, Francis X. Soleau, first lieutenant. Co. I, George
A. Strong, captain. Co. K, George W. Bowlsby, captain. The regi-
ment arrived at Pittsburg Landing the day previous to the furious
battle of April 6 and 7. General McCook, who commanded a division of
Buell's army in his report speaks in high terms of praise of the regi-
ment during the battle, closing with the following words; "The regi-
ment under command of Colonel Oliver, was attached to G«neral
Rosseau 's brigade, and during the day was under the hottest fire, when
he and his officers and men acted with conspicuous bravery."
Up to November 1, 1862, the regiment participated m engagements,
more or less important, and in skirmishes as follows: At Pittsburg
Landing, April 6th; Farmington, May 9th; the Siege of Corinth May
10 to May 31 ; at Inka, September 19th ; Chewalla, October 1, and
Corinth. October 3 and 4. General Rosecraus mentioned the regiment
iu his despatches after Corinth in the following words: "Well may
Miehigaji be proud of the gallant Fifteenth Regiment." The Fifteenth
added further laurels to its record at Pittsburg Landing and at the
Siege of Vieksburg, Mississippi, June 11 to 18; Resaca, Georgia, May
14, 1864, Big Shanty, Georgia, Decatur, Georgia, Siege of Atlanta, July
22 to August 25, 1864; Jonesboro, Georgia, August 31, 1864; Lovejoys
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II [STORY OP MONROE COUNTY 225
Btatioii, September 2 ; Clinton, Georgia, November 20 ; Fort McAllister,
(ieorgia, December 13, 1864; Orangeburg, South Carolina, February 15,
1865; Saluda Creek. South Carolina. February 16, 1865; Columbia.
South Carolina, February 17, 1865, Fayetteville, North Carolina, Mareb
15, 1865 ; Bentonville, North Carolina, Jlareh 19 ; a total of seventeen
engagements in all, that they were under fire within a few weeks.
The total membership of the Fifteenth was 2,371, and its losses 337.
The Seventeenth (Stonewall) Regiment
The Seventeenth Micliigan Cnfantry was known as the ■'Stonewall
Regiment." It was rendezvoused at Detroit, and embraced the names of
many volunteers from Monroe. Colonel James E. Pittnian, a soldier
of high reputation and of long service, was the organizer of this regi-
ment, who brought it to a high state of efficiency that not all of tlie troops
had not attained when they left the state. On August 27, 1862, the regi-
ment was ordered to Wasliington, under (Command of Colonel William
H. Withington, of Jackson, witii Colonel Constant Luee, of Monroe, as
its lieutenant colonel.
The regiment was attaehed to the First brigade, First division. Ninth
corps, and immediately sent into the Jlaryland campaign with General
McClellan, and in little more than two weeks after it left the state, was
fiercely engaged in the hotly contested action of South Mountain, on
September 14, 1862, whence it emerged with a loss of twent.v-seven killed
and one hundred and fourteen wounded. Among the wounded on the
24th at Antietam, was Lieutenant William E. Dufiield. of Monroe, who
died from his wounds, at Frederick City. Maryland, the following
October.
The Seventeenth had engaged tlie cnetii.v while in servii-c at South
Mountain, Marvland. Seiiteiiiber 14. 1862; Antietam. Marvljind, Sep-
tember 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dei-euiher 12, Di. 14. 1862;
Siege of Viekaburg. iMississippi, June 22 to July 4. 1863: Jackson,
Mississippi, July 11 to 18. 1863; lilue Spring, Tennessee. October 10,
1863; London, Tennessee, November 14. 186;i; Lenoire Station, Tennes-
see, November 15. 1863: Camphell's Station, Tennessee. November 16.
1863; siege of Knoxville. Tennessee. November 17 to December 5. 1863;
Tburley's Ford, Teuncssee. December 15. 1863; Fort Saunders. Tennes-
see, November 211. 1863; Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. January 22,
1864; Wilderness, Virginia. May 5. 6 and 7, 1864; Ny River. Virginia.
May '■), 1864; Spottaylvania, Virginia, May Id, 11. 12. 1864: North Anna.
Virginia, May 24. 1864; DetbesdEi Cluirch. Vir^rinia, Juno 2. 3. 1864;
Cold Harbor, Virginia. June 7, 1864: I'etersbrug. Virginia, June 17. 18.
1864; the Crater. Virginia. July :!(). 1864: Weldon Railroad. Virginia,
August 19, 21, 1864; Ream's Station. Virginia, August 25. 1864; Poplar
Spring Church, Virginia, September 3{l, 1864; Pcgram Fani]. Oetohpr
2, 1864; Hoydton Road, Virginia, October 8. 1864: Hatcher's Run, Vir-
ginia, October 27, 28, 1864; Fort Steedman. Virginia. March 25. 1865;
capture of Petershnrg, Virginia. April 3. 18fi5: siege of I'deit^brug, Vir-
ginia, from June 17. 1864. to A|)ril '■). lS6r,.
KiGIlTEKXTIl ,MKIilG.\.\ I ,\ l''A.NTliV
Tlie Eighteenth Regiment, which liad in its ranks a considerable num-
ber of Monroe co; nt.v men. ai«en»bled at its rcndcKvous in Hillsdale, and.
for the purposes of organization was placed in charge of Honorable Henry
AValdron, member of congress from that district.
The field and staff officers were : Culoncl Charles C. noolittle. of Hills-
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226 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
dale. Those from Monroe — ^lieutenant-coloiiel, George Spalding; adju-
tant, John C. Whipple, Company H, of said regiment, in eommand of
Captain Richard P. Ingersoll, of Dundee ; first lieutenant, Albert H. Bab-
coek, of Dundee, Company K, of same regiment, in command of Cap-
tain John J. Stevens, of Jlonroe ; first lieutenant, Henry D. Spaulding ;
second lieutenant, Henry B, Elliott, of Monroe.
The recruiting of this regiment commenced July 15, 1862, and on
the 26th of August was mustered into the service of the United States
leaving Hillsdale with 1,002 officers and men on tlie rolls, in command
of Colonel Doolittle, on the 4tli of September, with orders to report at
Cincinnati.
This regiment participated, with great credit to itself and honor to
the state of Michigan, with the enemy at Danville, Kentucky, February
24, 1863; Pond Springs, Alabama, June 28, 1864; Curtis Wells, Ala-
bama, June 24, 1864 ; Courtland, Alabama, July 25, 1864 ; Athens, Ala-
bama, September 24, 1864 ; Decatur, Alabama, October 24 and November
28, 1864.
The Eighteenth had carried on its rolls 1,374 officers and men, and
had lost 310, of which 11 men were killed in action, 2 men died of
wounds, and 297 of disease.
The Gkand Army op the Rki'ublic
The organization of the Grand Army of the Republic in Monroe
county perpetuates the patriotism of the people who by their personal
loyalty and devotion to the cause of the Union, placed the name of the
county of Monroe high on the roll of honor. The posts which were
established in the city of Monroe and in the villages of the county are
89 follows:
Monroe, Joseph E. Smith Post No. 76, organized in 1880.
Dundee, William Bell Post No. 10, organized October, 1879,
Petersburg, Morgan Parker Post No. 281, organized October 3, 1884.
Milan, Lucius Taylor Post No. 274, organized, 1884.
Carleton, Perry Baker Post No. 200, organized, 1883.
In these five posts were gathered, as charter members, between three
hundred and four hundred of those who had served in the Civil war as
officers or privates, enlisted from the county of Monroe. Their num-
bers were increased by subsequent additions from the ranks of the
veterans whose ranks are now thinning rapidly and who as time elapses
must, as an organization, gradually disappear from view, but whose
services must ever be gratefully remembered.
The Woman's Belief Corps
Monroe Auxiliary, organized June 22, 1888.
Dundee Auxiliary, organized May 8, 1884.
Milan Auxiliary, organized June 23, 1887.
These corps were mustered by Mrs. Hampton, past national president,
Mrs. Louisa A. Robbins, department president, and Mrs. Jjibbie Case.
This organization was intended to perpetuate the patriotic work
and the noble sacrifices of the women of the north during the war and
forms a most interesting chapter of the history of that memorable con-
flict and have cooperated with the Grand Army of the Republic in
every good work.
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CHAPTER XVIII
MILITARY AND CUSTER MONUMENT
The Old City Guakd — Monroe Light Guard — Company K, First
Infantry M. N. G. — The Armory— Baileoad Strikes — Spanish-
American War — Personnel op the Monroe Light Guard — George
Alpord, Revolutionary Soldier — Major General George Arm-
strong Custer — Doing Honor to Monroe's Hero — History op the
Monument — President Taft's Address — The Official Programme
Monroe has always felt and shown a justifiable pride in her citizen
soldiery. Dating back to the days of the Monroe City Guards, and later
to the Cass Guards, eraek companies of their day, which had more than
a local reputation for their high soldierly qualities, military discipline,
and fine appearance on parade. There has been nothing of which the
people of Monroe need be ashamed.
The Old City Guard
The old City Guard was notably represented by officers and privates
in the Mexican war, who performed their duties like true soldiers ; some
of these fell in battle, some breathed their last in Mexican hospitals and
some returned to their homes bearing high honors for bravery in the
field. Whenever duty or patriotism has beckoned to the Monroe Militia-
man, he has promptly responded. The record so stands to the present
day, a proud and honorable one ; which will be perpetuated by the pres-
ent and coming generations,
Monroe Light Guard
On September 26, 1870, a military company was formed and named
the Monroe 'Light Guard, forty -six members were enrolled who elected
as their captain, Charles P. Gruner, a man fully qualified by experience
and natural ability to fill the position creditably to himself and with
advantage to the new organization. The office of first and second lieu-
tenant were respectively filled by the election of J, Fred Beck and John
A. Wagner. The roster of charter members of this company shows that
they were almost without exception of German birtii, most of them being
members of the German Workingraen's Association. Their names were
as follows : John Anderegg, William Acker, Chas. Augerer, Jacob Alte-
mos, Fred Banke, John Bicking, Matthew Bab, Christopher Boehme, Aug.
Bramlech, Henry Ealer, Andrew Palke, Chris. Prei, Pred'k Freisbauer,
Christopher Grob, Henry Gruber, John Gensler, Fred Homer, George
Haag, M. Kronbach, C. Krenthauf, William Keuger, Martin Loefler, J.
L. Miller, J. H. Mann, Chas. Meyer, Nicholas Mohr, C. Meyer, Chris.
Messerle, Geo. Ohr, George Bupp, Conrad Reinhart, Jacob Boeder, Adam
Rupp, Geo. Rudolph, Christopher Streif, Wm. Stockert, John L. Sedil-
227
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228 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
bauer, Phil. Schneider, Fred. Spath, John Sturii, Adam Wagner, Geo.
Weiss, Jos. Zimmerman. The company having, later, voted to heeome
members of the state militia, they were mustered into service on December
29, 1870, by Adjutant General John Robertson, as Company F, First
Regiment M. S. T. Six years later, upon reorganization of the First
Brigade of the state troops (on May 19, 1876), they became Company D.
First Regiment of Infantry. On July 3, 1885, another arrangement of
companies occurred, and they were assiened as Company G, Fourth Regi-
ment. They continued under this designation until the Spanish-Amer-
ican war, when it was changed to Company M, Thirty-first Regiment,
Michigan Volunteer Infantry.
Company K, First Infantry, B1. N. G.
After the close of the war, the state militia system was again changed,
when the 1 ocal company was given the assignment, as Company
D, First Regiment, Michigan Infantry, which was afterwards
changed to Company K, and so remains. As before stated, its original
membership was almost exclusively German, and for convenience its
by-laws were printed and the records kept in the German language until
1875, when the English was substituted.
No support was received from the state in the beginning further than
a supply of old Springfield rifles. The arms of the company underwent
the usual changes from one pattern to aEother, the same as with other
similar organizations, including "Sharps" " Improved Springfield" etc.,
until in 1903, the company was equipped with the Krag-Jorgensen,
hut at the present date have the "New Springfield," the arm adopted
by the United States government. The members at first furnished their
own uniforms, up to 1874, when the state supplied them. The com-
pany had no armory of course, b«t used for drill purposes, different
public halls, the last occupied before measures were taken to erect an
armory building was Kremer's hall on Front street.
The Armory
In 1889, the Armory Association was incorporated, and bought flic
property at the southwest corner of Washington and Second streets,
which was then occupied by a skating rink, with a large frame build-
ing, which served the purpose of a drill shed until 1895. In this year
the association erected a fine brick and stone building on their property.
for an armory, the corner stone of which was laid with elaborate cere-
monies on July 4, 1895, The occasion was made the feature of a general
celebration of Independence day, which drew an enormous eroH'd of
people from all parts of the county and many neighborng cities. The
governor of the state, Honorable John T. Rich, was the orator of the
day, while many military companies from various cities and bands of
music from many nearby points enlivened the occasion until late even-
ing, under the hospitable entertainment committee of the Light Guard,
which indeed, had resolved itself entire into a vast eiitertaining body.
The whole affair was one that reflected credit iipon the company and
upon the city. The armory was completed at a cost of about $25,000
according to plans and specifications which provided for not only a large
drill hall and business offices for the company, but also for a spacious
and well appointed amusement liall. which was called the "Armory
Opera Honse. ' ' This was a provision for the citizens of Monroe that has
been very much appreciated by the public, since the city had not pre-
viously enjoyed a suitable place for entertainments, and consequently
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
229
were deprived of the pleasure of witnessing many notable dramatie and
operatic productions as well as lectures that passed them by for lack of
proper accommodations. By this public spirited movemedt the Light
Guard made themselves more popular than ever. Those who as captains
have commanded the company up to the present time are: Charles F.
Gruner, 1870 to 1875; John J. Stevens, 1875; Vincent Kindler, 1876;
Joseph D. Ronau, 1877-1879; A. Rupp, 1879-1887; Merrell E. Webb,
1887-1894; John J\I. Guttman, 1894-1898; Irving S. Harrington, 1898-
1902; Merrell E. Webb, 1902-1903; Geo. J. Hchmidt, 1903-1904; Wni.
J. Litft, 1904, and 1. S. Harrington. 1910.
Railro-*d Stbikes
The company has responded three times to calls for service and aetive
duty, by the state, and always with full ranks. On July 24, 1877, the
serious railroad strike at Jackson, was the first; when, upon telegraphic
orders from state authorities, the full ooiiipajiy took the first train for
Armory .\nd Opera House
the scene of difficulties. Fortunately the differences between employed
and employers were settled amicably. Railroad strikes asiain in 1894,
disturbed the peace of the public in several states besides our own, and
all the troops were held in readiness to march on an hour's notice to
any point where their services might be required.
Spantkii-Americ.vn War
Not again were they called upon until 1898, when the summons was
very warlike indeed, and the appearances indicated they were to have an
experience in the field with a foreign foe. The events leading up to a
declaration of war by the United States against Spain were watched
with lively interest by the troops and little doubt remained in their
minds that the worst was to happen ; but all were alert and ready for
any demand upon them. On Friday, April 22, 1898, the captain of the
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230 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
company received orders to be ready with his eommaiid to move in
heavy marehing order, to Island Lake, Michigan, not later than April
26, This, of course, meant the mobilizing of troops at that point for
active duty. The day of departure of the guard with full ranlra, and in
the complete "panoply of war," was a memorable one in Monroe; it was
the first time that the people of that generation had been called upon
to part with relatives and friends, who were bound for the actualities
of war. Every business place was closed, flags and other decorations
were everywhere, and the citizens were eager to give the boys a royal
send off and hearty "God speed." On May 17th, the company reached
Oamp Thomas at Chickamauga Park, Geoi^a, and immediately went
into camp. In June, Sergeant Reisig was detailed to return to Monroe
on recruiting service, for the purpose of recruiting the company up to
the required number of 106. This he accomplished in a remarkably
short time, in the city and nearby townships of the county. The melan-
choly incident in the company during the Spanish-American war waa
the death in the hospital at Chattanooga, Tennessee, by typhoid fever, of
Captain John M, Guttman, which was a most severe blow to the company
as well as to a very large circle of friends in Monroe ; as a public spir-
ited citizen, Captain Guttman had won the esteein of his fellow citizens,
who respected him for his good character, while his company gave him
their unqualified confidence and affection. His remains were brought
to Monroe. Upon the death of Captain Guttman, First Lieutenant I. S.
Harrington became captain, and Second Lieutenant George Smidt was
promoted to first lieutenant. During the few months of the war, four
other deaths occurred in the ranks of the company from disease : John
Fox, Daniel Keegan, Franklin Bond and Prank Davis, The company
spent the winter of 1898 and 1899 at Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tennessee,
afterwards going to Savannah, Georgia, and on the 24th of January,
1899, sailed for Cuba. They did not see active service during the war;
were mustered out upon their return to Savannah, on May 17th, and
returned to Monroe on May 19th, where they received a most enthusi-
astic reception.
Personnel oii' the Monkoe Ijight Guard
Due recognition of the merits of several of the company's officers
has been made by the state, and by the State Militia. Captain Rupp
was elected major in the Fourth Regiment in 1886, but did not serve on
account of ill health. In the fall of 1894, Captain Merrcll E. Webb was
elected lieutenant colonel of the Fourth Regiment. In 1895 there oc-
curred a vacancy in the colonelcy of that regiment, and Lieutenant
Colonel Webb became a candidate against Lieutenant Colonel Lathrop
of Detroit. At the election, the vote was a tie, and the contest con-
tinued with great spirit for several days, neither side feeling disposed to
yield to the others ; so that the regiment was without its complement of
field officers, and in this condition it remained until the war in 1898.
Lieutenant- Col on el Webb then promptly settled the contest by volun-
teering as a private. He was made first sergeant by Captain Guttman,
and soon was appointed major of the Thirty-third Michigan by Governor
Pingree. Major Webb saw active service in Cuba, and returned to
Monroe in 1900. He afterwards went to the Philippines as a captain
in the Thirtieth United States Volunteers, returning two years later
with an excellent record.
At the numerous regimental, brigade, state and other encampments,
the Light Guard has invariably given a creditable account of itself, at
times ranking above any other company in the regiment. The member-
ship is, at present, almost wholly composed of bright, active young men;
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 231
the captain himself, though many years a member, is uot so much a
veteran in service as. he is not much above thirty years of age. The
company has for emulation a past record that should be an inspiration,
and almost a certainty exists that the future in achievement will fully
sustain the past.
Following is the present roster, corrected to May 9, 1912 :
Captain, I. S. Harrington; first lieutenant, R. H. Spalding; second
lieutenant, E. A. Stoner; iirst sergeant, R. C. Strauehman; quarter-
master sergeants, 0. H. Deinzer, B. B. BIadel> E. B. Root, F. N. Maurer,
and E. J. Simmons; corporals, C. N. Wallace, P. J. Carmichael, A. A.
Golden. J. C. Campbell, M. J. Navarre, and Van Parshall: cooks. E. J,
Navarre and R. C. Ney; musicians, L. Pearsall and G. B. Suzorc; artif-
icer. Fred Posliag; privates, L. A. Bentley, J. H. Baxter, N. Bourbina,
H. H. Clark, T. F. Denninger, G. Freidline, E. J. Gessner, S. I. Harring-
ton, F. Kline, "W. H. Lajiness, 0. J. Leonard, G. R. Milligan, 0. Navarre,
A. J. Nagle, R. T. Pardon, F. W. Roberts, E. Stadelman, M. Trombley,
M. G. Ulmer, J. J. Vinior. L. E. Walters and R. E. Walters.
The Monroe Light Guard, as Company M, Thirty-first Michigan
Volunteers, were mustered into the United States service on May 9,
1898. The following is the roster of the company on that date :
Captain, John M, Guttman ; first lieutenant, Irving S. Harrington ;
second lieutenant, Geo. J. Schmid; first sergeant, Otto E. Rusig; quarter-
master sergeant, Gustave A. Femee ; sergeants, August C. Verhoeven,
Wm. J. Leuft, Fred Schultz, Alexander C. Rupp ; corporals, Fred C.
Haag, Richard Vivian, Mark L. Osgood, John J. Kiley, Bert C. Root,
Burton A. Tisdale; musicians, Joseph Bernor and Gustave Marx; arti-
ficer, Adam F. Cron; wagoner, Wm. Oetjens; company clerk, James H.
Nicholson ; privates, Fred J. Ackley, George Armbruster, Austin L.
Bruckner, Charles H. Cady. Frank W. Charter, Edward D. Coggswell,
Fred W. Crow, Alexander F. Demzer, John H. Duclo, William Dusablon,
Fred W. Dushano, Alfred Duvall, William Duvall, William C. Eaton,
Abraham M. Fix, John W. Fox,* Isaac C. Godfroy, Lawrence C. Graess-
ley,' Carl Gruner, Irving T. Holland, Oliver Jondro, Michael Kisswether,
Louis A. Kline, Irving W. Knapp, Anthony A. Koepke, Otto H. Kring,
Frank M. Labene, Wm. P. Longley, John J, Leuft, Joseph 0. Mathieu,
Wm. McGili, Harry Micheau, Allen Mosier, Daniel Nadeau, Columbus J.
Navarre, James E. Navarre, Stanley O. Newcomb, Bert J. Nickels, Otto
H. Ohr, Ernest W. Ott, Joseph Palmer, Fred G. Phillips, Alexander
J. Plewes, Irven A. Ploof, Gustave Pollefeyt, Edward Pousha, August K.
Terrell, William J. Quell, Frank J. Rabbit, John C. Rod, Charies San-
crant, Edward E. Smith, Arthur Sortor, Leroy Sortor, Harry T. Strong,
Frank S. Tripp, Fred Triquet, William R. Turner, Arthur F. Wagner,
Vern 0. Westgate, Burton A. Wright, Gustave Zeller and Joseph G.
Zcller.
The following were afterwards recruited in Monroe County, and
mustered in on June 23d and 28th : Prank Babcock, Levi Bomia, Frank-
lin Bond,* Charles Boushaw, Leonard Bruerlein, jr., John Clemens,
Prank W. Davis,* Henry L. Dusham, Prank Evoe, Ernest Goldfinch,
Edward Grovener, Daniel Keegan,* Charles Kopf, William Lazette,
George Loose, John P. McCleary, Jesse W. Navarre, Joseph Pountnie,
Joseph Ranville, Charles P. Roberts, John W. Scott, Harry Schultz, Wil-
liam J. Steffis, Moses Valiquette, George Waltz, Joseph Weigel, Louis
Wilhelm.
* Died in camp or hospital.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 233
Geijegb Alford, Revolutionaky Soldier
was one of the early New England settlers in Monroe and lived on Sec-
ond street, lietween Harrison and Cass streets. He was a brother of
Mrs. James B. Skinner, whose husband was I'or some years a register of
deeds in Monroe county, and held other public offices. George Alford
was a soldier in the war of the revolution, and served under General
Putnam, and as such is entitled to honorable mention, though unfor-
tunately, there are no records at hand to identify him more particularly
in the patriotic service which he rendered to his country. There are no
relatives now living in this county, nor any of his co-temporaries from
whom any furtJier details can be obtained, hut it is an interesting fact
that iloiiroe once had for one of its citizens a soldier who served in Gen-
eral Washington's army, and under that intrepid commander, General
Putnam. He is the only man so far as is known, who ever lived in Mon-
roe, that enjoyed that distinction, which confirms the statement that
Monroe is connected with every war in which the l.'iiited States was
engaged. There are not so very many towns wJiich can make good its
claim to this patriotic record.
.M.\,[()i! ("Ikkkrai, (iKOiiGE Arj;struxg (JrsiTEK
Genentl Custer was born December S), 183il. lie died June 25, 1876.
His birth place was New Runiley, Harrison county, Ohio, near the
Pennsylvania line. The scene where his death occurred was on the banks
of the Little Big Horn river in Montana. His ashes rest at West Point
New York, the site of the Military school where he was taught the
art of war and trained in the profession of anus; and where so many
oiScers were educated who brought distinction to tiie name of the Ameri-
can soldier. His parentage was humble, and the place in wliich he first
saw the light is so obscure that it is see.n on but few maps. After receiv-
ing a common school education, such as could be obtained in the limited
educational facilities of the little rural hamlet where he was boi'n, he
came with relatives to Monroe, where he was placed in a select boys and
young men's academy, under the instruction of Professor Alfred Steb-
bins, the principal. The superior facilities of this school and the greatly
improved social environments produced a most favorable effect upon
the formation of his character. After remaining here about two years,
he returned to Ohio and en-zaged in teaching school, but the yearnings
of his ambitious nature for a more eventful life would not permit him
to remain here contented, and he is next seen with an ai)pointment from
the Congressman for the district, in which he goes to the United States
Military Academy at West Point. He entered that institution on the
first of July, 1857, and graduated on the 24th of June. 1861, with what
was considered one of the best classes that ever left the academy. Im-
mediately upon leaving "West Point, he was appointed second lieutenant
in Company G, Second United States Cavalry, a regiment formerly com-
manded by Robert E. Lee. He reportetl to Ijieu tenant-Genera I Scott on
the 20th of July, the day before the battle of Hull Run, and was at once
assigned to duty with his regiment, then under the command of General
McDowell. After riding all night through a country filled with people
who were, to say the least, not friendly, he reached McDowell's head-
quarters at daybreak on the morning of the 21st. Preparations for the
battle had already begun, and, after delivering the dispatches which
he bore from General Scott, and taking a hasty lunch, he joined his
company. It is not necessary to recount here the disasters of the en-
gagement which followed. Suffice it to say. Lieutenant Custer's com-
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231 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
pany was among the last to leave the field. It did so in good order,
bringing off General Hcintzeluian, who had been wounded in the battle.
The young officer continued to serve with his company, and was engaged
in drilling volunteer recruits in and about the defenses of Washington,
when, upon the appointment of Phil. Kearney to the position of Briga-
dier-General, that lamented officer appointed him as one of his staff.
Custer continued in this position until an order was issued from the War
Department prohibiting Generals of volunteers from appointing officers
of the regular army to staff duty. He then returned to his company,
after being warmly complimented by General Kearney upon the prompt
and efficient manner in which he had performed the duties assigned
him. The General then predicted that Custer would prove one of the
most successful officers in the army; nor were these predictions without
a speedy realization. With his company, Lieutenant Custer marched
forward with that part of the Army of the Potomac which moved upon
Manassas after its evacuation by the Confederates. Our cavalry was
in advance under General Stonemau, and encountered the Confederate
horsemen, for the first time, near Catlett's Station. The commanding
officer made a call for volunteers to charge the enemy's advance post;
Lieutenant Custer was among the first to step to the front, and, in com-
mand of his company, he shortly afterwards made his first charge. The
enemy did not wait to receive them, but crossed the bridge over Cedar
Run, burning the bridge as soon as they had crossed. A few shots
were exchanged on the banks, and one of our men was wounded. This
was the first blood shed in the campaign under MeClellan. After this,
Custer went with the Army of the Potomac to the Peninsula, and re-
mained with his company until the army settled down before York-
town, when he was detailed as an assistant engineer of the left wing
under Sumner. Acting in this capacity, he planned and erected the
earthworks nearest the enemy's lines. He also accompanied the advance
under General Hancock in pursuit of the enemy from Yorktown. Shortly
afterwards, he captured the first battle-flag ever taken by the Army of
the Potomac. From this time forward, he was nearly first in every work
of daring. When the army reached the Chickahominy, he was the first
man to cross the river; he did so in the midst of the whistling bullets
from the enemy's pickets, leading Company A, 4th Michigan Infantry,
wading sometimes through deep water. For this brave act. General
MeClellan promoted him to a Captaincy, and made him one of his
personal aids. In this capacity he served during most of the Peninsular
campaign, and participated in all its battle, including the seven days'
fight. He performed the duty of marking out the position occupied by
the Union army at the battle of Gaines' Mills. He also took part in
the campaign which ended in the battles of South Mountain and Antie-
tam. Upon the retirement of General MeClellan from the command of
the Army of the Potomac, Custer accompanied him, and for a time was
out of active service. He was nest engaged in the battle of Chancellors-
ville; and, immediately after the fight, was made a personal aid by
General Pleasonton, who was then commanding a division of cavalry.
Serving in this capacity, he took an active part in a number of hotly
contested engagements; and, through them all, bore himself with the
same fearlessness and gallantry that marked him as the most dashing
officer in the service. When Pleasonton was made Major-General, his
first pleasure was to remember the valuable services of his Aid-de-camp.
He requested the appointment of four Brigadiers under him ; and, upon
his recommendation, indorsed by Generals Meade and Hooker, young
Custer was made a Brigadier-General, and was assigned to the command
of the 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th Michigan Cavalry, constituting the famous
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 235
Michigan Brigade. He (lid nobie service at the battle of Gettysburg,
He held the right of the line, and was obliged to face Hampton's cav-
alry division; after a hotly contested fight, he utterly routed the Con-
federates, and prevented them from reaching the trains of the Union
army, which they had hoped to capture. Custer had two horses shot
under him in this encounter. Hardly had the battle commenced, when
he was sent to attack the enemy's train, which was trying to force its
way to the Potomac. He destroyed more than four hundred wagons.
At Hageretown, Maryland, during a severe engagement, he had another
horse shot under him. At Palling Water, shortly after, he attacked
with his small command the entire Confederate rear guard. The Con-
federate commander, General Pettigrew, was killed, and his command
routed, with a loss of thirteen hundred prisoners, two pieces of cannon,
and four battle-flags. For some time after this victory, General Custer
was constantly engaged in skirmishing witli the enemy; and, during
the winter wliieli followed, in picketing the Bapidan between the two
armies. He participated in the battle of the Wilderness in J864; and on
the 9th of May of the same year, under General Sheridan, he set out
on the famous i-aid towards Richmond. His brigade led the column,
captured Beaver Dam, burned the station with a train loaded with sup-
plies, and released four hundred Union prisoners. At Ashland more
supplies were destroyed and more prisoners released. On the Brooks
pike, the cavalry encountered General J. E. B. Stuart and his famous
cavalry, who gallantly tried to cheek the advance, but without avail.
General Stuart was here killed by one of Custer's men; after his fall,
the enemy gave way, and a complete rout followed. Rejoining Grant's
army on the Pamunkey, General Custer was prominent in the battle of
Cold Harbor, the close of which was marked by Sheridan's second raid;
but in these and in several other engagements, Custer had no oppor-
tunity for the display of his peculiar talents, save at Beaver Dam, al-
ready mentioned. After the battle of Fisher's Hill, in which he did
most important service, he was placed in command of a division, and
remained in that position until after Lee's surrender. At the ever
memorable battle of Cedar Creek, his division was on the right, and
not engaged in the rout of the morning, so that when Sheridan arrived
on the ground, after his ride of twenty miles, he found at least one com-
mand ready for service. His immediate order was, "Go in, Custer!"
The brave young General waited for no further word; he went in, and
came not out until the enemy was driven several miles beyond the battle-
field. Nearly one thousand prisoners were captured, among them a
Major-General ; forty-five pieces of artillery were also taken, with sev-
eral battle-flags. For this service, Custer was made a brevet Major-
General of Volunteers. Sheridan, as a further mark of approbation,
detailed him to carry the news of the victory, and the captui-ed battle-
flags, to Washington. From this time forward, he continued to steadily
advance in the esteem of his superiors and the American people.
When the Confederates fell back to Appomattox, Custer had the ad-
vance of Sheridan's command ; his share of the action is well described in
a volume entitled "With Sheridan in His Last Campaign." The book
in question says: "When the sun was an hour high in the west, ener-
getic Custer, in advance, spied the depot and four heavy trains of freight
cars; he quickly ordered his leading regiment to circle out to the left
through the woods, and, as they gained the railroad beyoud the station,
he led the rest of his divison pell-mell down the road and enveloped the
train as quick as winking." In short, it can be said of General Custer,
that he was in every engagement fought by the Army of the Potomac,
from the first battle of Bull Run to the surrender of General Lee. His
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236 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
career forms a part of the history of the late civil war. Wherever the
cavalry was engaged, there was General Custer to be found with his
glorious command. Not only was he in all the general engagements,
hut he was a leading spirit in all the numerous cavalry fights which
preceded or followed the great battles. It was his cavalry which scoured
the country in advance of the army, driving the enemy into some strong-
hold whence they gave battle. It was the cavalry which attacked the
Confederates' flank and rear, during those battles; and it was the cav-
alry that pursued them on their retreat, capturing their trains of sup-
plies and ammunition, and bringing in thousands of prisoners. In all
these scenes, the youthful figure of Custer, the youngest General in the
army, was always to be seen in the thickest of the fight, taking the brunt
of the danger, and directing bis command with that skill and success
which only comes of and from genius. Personally, he knew no fear — it
was always his choice to lead, not to follow, his men ; and never to ask
them to incur any danger which he worid himself avoid. No officer
exercised greater care over liis men than did General Ouster. In the field
he exacted severe duty of tlicni, but they gave it clieerfully, knowing
that they could trust him implicitly. Their love for him amounted to
intense enthusiasm. It was that hero worsliip which Americans so
willingly accord to successful men.
At the close of the war General Custer was on duty in Texas and
Kentucky. He was mustered out of the volunteer service, February 1,
1866, and was appointed Lieutenant- Colonel of the 7th United States
Cavalry, in July, 1866. In 1867, he was ordered, with Ids regiment, to
the plains, and particpated, with General Hancock, in his expedition
against the Indians. He was, during nearly the whole of the period
from this time until his last ill-fated expedition, on frontier duty. It
was in the discharge of his important duties on the western plains tliat
his services were of the most distinguished character. No man in or
out of the army was more directly instrumental in promoting the open-
ing and peopling the Great West, when this service was most needed
than Custer. In 1873 he was second in command of the Yellowstone
expedition, under General Stanley. He subsequently made explora-
tions of the Black Hills, and brought back the first authentic repoi'ts of
the mineral wealth of that hitherto unexplored region. In the expedi-
tion organized under the command of Brigadier-General Terry against
the Indians, General Custer commanded the 7tb Cavalry, which was the
advance; and it was while engaged in this expedition that he met his
death, June 25, 1876. General Custer cared little for politics and took
no part therein, except as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention in
1866, and to the Soldier's Convention at Cleveland.
In 1864 General Custer married Miss Elizabeth Bacon, only daughter
of Hon. Daniel S. Bacon, of Monroe, Michigan. During every campaign
thereafter she accompanied her gallant husband, sharing the dangers
and discomforts with him and his command. To omit from Genera!
Custer's record an emphatic commendation of him as a man. and a
genial, warm-hearted friend, would leave untold some of his most
strongly marked characteristics. Under the garb of the soldier, and
the sometimes austere exterior, there beat the warmest of hearts, and
existed the most aifeetionate of natures. The circle of friends to whom
he revealed these gentler qualities was not large ; but, even beyond that,
he was loved and admired for what he was, and was respected and es-
teemed for his achievements. In the field of literature, into which he
ventured with the same energy and spirit that characterized his military
life, he also won success; and, but for the untimely close of his career,
would unquestionably here also have attained distinction. To live in
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 237
history is the fondest dream of the soldier. What are u iiiw years,
more or less, of this life, in comparison with enduring fame? The name
of Custer is now enrolled with those to be remembered, Tlie peculiarly
tragic incidents of bis death; the desperate courage which put him and
BO many of his relations at the head of the assailing troops; the merciless
slaughter which closed the scene,— all these may survive in narrative
and tradition the removal of the last of tbe "Redskins" from the face
of the eartb. The gallant bravery, tbe spirit, and tbe patriotism of
Custer commended him to public favor; and it is not in the heart of tbe
American people soon to forget those whose hlood has been shed in their
name.
After many years, since tbe fearful tragedy of the Little Big Horn,
it is gratifying to read the testimony as to his strict performance of
duty by Ceneral Custer, calmly and forcefully given by such eminent
military officers as General Winfield Scott Hancock, and General William
Teeumseh Sherman, of tbe United States Army, themselves familiar
with the naked facts and of the circumstances of this fatal engagement,
and after a personal visit to the scene which was given out by them,
"that Custer's procedure was unavoidable by the law of war, and
wholly justitied by tbe situation in which he found himself. The sol-
dier's duty, when be meets the enemy is to fight, and from this duty
General Custer was never known to shrink."
To tbe failure of Major Beno and Captain Benteen, in coininaud of
tbe larger portion of the military force to promptly co-operate with
Custer, and fly with their commands to his relief as they were ordered
to do, lies the solution of this disaster. They remained, passively many
miles away in safety, while their comrades, outnumbered five to one
by the bloodthirsty, ferocious Sioux fell hy the score beneath the tom-
ahawk, rifle and the scalping knife — not one of tlmt gallant band re-
maining alive.
DoiNu lIuNUii Tu Mi>\'Li(iE's Herd
Siiturduy, June 4th, 1910, was a red-letter day in the annals of Mon-
roe. While many public occasions and events in the past have been of
such a character as to bring tbe city prominently into (;lose range of
public notice, and to enable its citizens each time to add to their gen-
erally accorded fame as generous and appreciative hosts, and their ability
to conduct public ceremonious events, with becoming dignity and honor,
it remained for them to add tbe crowning wreath of glory and credit,
on the notable occasion of dedicating and unveiling of the magnificent
brou/e equestrian statue which the State of ^licbigan had erected here
to the niemor.y and achievements of her I'enowned soldier, Major-Gen-
eral George Armstrong Custer. It was a graceful and just tribute to a
distinguished and remarkable man, and the state, in paying it,
added lustre to her owji glory as a patriotic and grateful commonwealth,
which comiiianded universal appreciation and praise.
A monument is an outward memorj'. it is the concrete, objective ex-
pression of admiratioji and reverence. It is a solid, silent, enduring, yet
eloquent tongue speaking to all peoples in every language, and under-
stood by all. It condenses the eulogies of a nation. The more beautiful
it is, tbe more fitting a mouthpiece it is felt to be. General (duster lost
his life, in one of the bravest of all causes, — the conscientious soldier's
devotion to duty. So tbe people of the great state of Michigan, and of
tbe beautiful and historic city of Monroe, which the General loved to call
his home, on that eventful June day in 1910, erected this memorial to
perpetuate the memory of bis gallantry and loyalty by perpetuating
the expression of their own appreciation.
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238 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
The history of the movement to thus honor one of her bravest aad
moat distinguished sons is of interest and deserves to be preserved. It
had its inception in Monroe, in 1876, the year in which the tragedy
occurred in the Little Big Horn valley which brought to a sudden ter-
mination the briiliant career of the gallant Custer. An association was
formed by the citizens of Monroe, to undertake the erection of a suit-
able memorial to be national in its character. This was called the Custer
National Monument Association, and was organized by the election at
a public meeting, of the following officere : Lieut. -Gen. Philip H. Sheri-
dan, U. S. A., president.
Vice-presidents: Honorable T. W. Ferry,* vice-president. United
States; Honorable John J. Bagley,' governor of Michigan; Honorable
I. P. Christianey,* United States senator, Michigan ; General A. S. Wil-
liams,* member of Congress, Michigan; General W. T. Sherman,* United
States, America; General Geo. B. McClellan,* United States, America;
General A. J. Pleasanton,* United States, America; General R. A.
Alger," Michigan; General James B. Steedman,* Ohio; General Leslie
Combs,* Kentucky; Governor Beveridge,* Illinois; Governor Luding-
ton,* Wisconsin; Governor R. B. Hayes,* Ohio; Governor MeCreery,*
Kentucky; Governor S. J. Tilden,* New York; Governor Hartranft,*
Pennsylvania; James Gordon Bennett, New York; Ex-Governor R. Mc-
Clelland,* Michigan ; Honorable J. Sterling Morton,* Nebraska ; Honor-
able B, H. Bristow,* Kentucky ; Honorable Marshall Jewell,* Connecti-
cut; Honorable W. E. Dodge,* New York; Honorable W, C. Bryant,*
New York; Honorable Chas. P. Adams,* Massachusetts; Richard Henry
Lee,* Virginia; President Chadbourne, Williams College, Massachu-
setts; James Armitage,* H. M. Mixer,* F. Walldorf,* Professor E. J.
Boyd,* Honorable D. A. Noble,* E. S. Sill,* M. Paulding,* I, E. Ilgen-
fritz,* Gouv. Morris,* J. L. C. Godfrey* and John Wahl,* Monroe, Mich-
igan; Col. C. C. Jackson,* pay director U, S. N.
Executive committee: Honorable Edwin Willits,* Honorable C. G.
Johnson,* W. H. Boyd,* J. M. Sterling,* J. P. Hogarth,* Colonel I. R.
Grosvernor,* Thomas Doyle,* M. D. Hamilton,* J. R. Rauch,* Major
S. W. Curtiss,* Doctor A. I. Sawyer,* H. Shaw Noble,* J. B. Newton,*
Henry T. Cole, W. A. Noble* and Doctor C. T. Southworth, Monroe.
Michigan ; Honorable I. P. Christianey,* United States senator ; Honor-
able T. W. Ferry,* United States senator; General A. S. Williams* and
Genera! R. A. Alger,* Detroit, Michigan; General W. Withington,*
Jackson, Michigan; Colonel Raymond,* Bay City, Michigan; Honorable
J. Sterling,* Minton, Nebraska; Benjaman Vernor,* and Emory Wen-
dell, Detroit, Michigan ; C. L. Blood,* Three Rivers, Michigan ; Honor-
able Potter Palmer,* Chicago, Illinois; James Gordon Bennett,* New
York ; L. H. Randall,* Grand Rapids, Michigan; W. B. MeCreery,* Flint,
Michigan; General J. B, Steedman,* Toledo, Ohio; Honorable S. S.
Walker,* St. Johns, Michigan; Honorable L. D. Dibble,* Battle Creek,
Michigan; Honorable J. Hilton Scribner, New York; Honorable W. H,
Waldby,* Adrian, Michigan ; Honorable S. M. Seeley,* Coldwater, Michi-
gan ; Honorable William Wood,* Kalamazoo, Michigan ; Honorable Peter
White,* Marquette, Michigan; Colonel S. L. Matthews,* Pontiac, Mich-
igan.
Treasurer: T. E. Wing,* cashier First National Bank, Monroe.
Secretaries: J. M. Bulkley, H. A. Conant, R. E. Phinney,* Monroe.
Recording Secretary: Major J. G. McBride.
In the same year another movement for a monument to General
Custer was started by James Gordon Bennett of the New York Herald.
In a few months the funds of the two organizations were united and the
sum thus raised was appropriated to erect a monument at West Point
* Of this long Viet of names, of prominent men, but five are now living.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 239
a granite pedestal was unveiled on Aug. 29th, 1879. The pedestal of
Military Academy, which was accomplished, and a bronze statue upon
this monument now marks the spot where were interred the remains of
General Custer in the military burial ground at the Point, The first
proposal, thirty years later, to erect a statue in Monroe, it is believed
originated in the Board of Commerce, of Monroe, contemporaneously
with the Third Michigan Cavalry Brigade, and met with a general
and hearty response in Monroe and elsewhere. An organization,
called the Michigan Custer Memorial Association, was effected and
started in motion the machinery which most effectively prosecuted the
work. This association in 1910 was composed as follows :
Lieut. P. A. Nims, president ; John M. Bulkley, vice-president ; Chas.
E. Greening, secretary.
Committee; Honorable J. C Burrows, Kalamazoo; Honorable Wm,
Alden Smith, Grand Rapids; Honorable Chas, E. Townseud, Jackson;
Honorable James B. Angel, Ann Harbor; Honorable Plaggct Trabbic,
Erie; General C. W. Harrah, Detroit; General Wm. G. McGurrin. Grand
Rapids; Right Reverend John S. Foley, D. D., Detroit; Honorable James
V. Barry, Lansing; Honorable H. A. Conant, Reverend M. J. Crowley,
P. C. Deinzer, Honorable Burton Parker, John M. Bulkley, Lieutenant
F. A, Nims, Captain Irving S. Harrington, Mayor Jacob Martin, A. B.
Bragdon, Charles Hoyt, P. G. Strong, Aid. H. C. Orvis, Mrs. W. Van
Miller, Mrs, J, J. Hubble, Miss Jenny Sawyer, Monroe.
The minor details of personal effort and activity are not of great im-
portance in this narrative, except so far as they may serve to bring
out the loyal, gallant and persistent efforts of the members of the ' ' Third
Michigan Cavalry Brigade," to honor in permanent form the memory
of their old and well beloved leader, General Geo. A. Custer, and it is a
pleasant memory in the hearts of Michigan soldiers and citizens of
Monroe, that it is largely to their united and patriotic efforts that this
purpose has been accomplished. It is, perhaps, one of the most difficult
and delicate of tasks to assign special and specific honors to any in-
dividual in such a successful undertaking where there was such spon-
taneous volunteering and arduous work performed, but we have great
pleasure in printing a letter from General James H. Kidd, of Ionia,
Michigan, one of Custer's most able and trusted generals, a member of
the monument commission, who also rendered yoeman service in this
work, in a letter written to the author, dated March 27, 1912, he says:
"In connection with the securing the statue for Monroe, to General
George G. Briggs is due high honors. More than to any other man,
perhaps I might say, more than to all other men together, your city
owes the noble statue which adorns it ; for in supervising the modeling,
and the design of the appropriate pedestal, his educated taste and
trained judgment on matters of art were at all times controlling factors."
While none was in the least lukewarm in the legislature, during the
consideration of the bill appropriating $25,000 for the statue, and fixing
the location for it (which in the original bill designated the site at the
state capital), too much praise cannot be awarded to Honorable B. H.
Trabbic for his alertness and efBcient efforts in causing the site to be
changed to Monroe instead of Lansing. Also to Colonel W, O. Lee, of
the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, to Mayor Jacob Martin, to Charles E.
Greening and to many other equally active, prompt and enterprising
citizens of Monroe, unstinted praise is due in bringing about the earn-
estly desired result, in locating the site of the statue at Monroe, which,
it is now generally conceded to be the proper and logical location. A
commission was appointed by the governor to take entire charge of the
details of design and completion of the statue, of which it was stipu-
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240 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
lated tliat at least three of its members should be from the Michigan
Cavalry Brigade. The cominission thus appointed was composed of the
following gentlemen : General James H. Kidd, Colonel Geo. G. Bri^s
and Lieutenant Frederick A. Niius ; Colonel Briggs being chairman. The
unveiling commission consisted of the following: Colonel George C.
Brig^, James V. Barry, Otto Kirchner, Governor Fred Warner, General
James H. Kidd, Lieutenant F. A, Nims.
The contract with the sculptor, Edward C. Potter, was made Febru-
ary 1, 1908, which provided that the statue should be ready for dedica-
tion October 1, 1909; various dilRculties arose to prevent the carrying
out of this provision; the delicate health of the sculptor, also caused
delays in the work, so that nearly a year elapsed before there was much
accomplished. The wishes of General Custer's personal friends were
that the date oF the eeremonies of unveiling the statute might be fixed
to commemorate some memorable battle in which he victoriously led
the Michigan brigade. This was the original intention, but was found
impracticable for one reason and another. The date was finally deter-
Cl.'KTER MeMOKIAI., MONliOE
mined upon by the fact that on June 4, 19.10. Pre.sident T;tft woidd
be in Michigan and could honor the occasion by his presence and partici-
pation together with many other notables of the United States, tluis
giving it the importance and significance of n national event. The
occasion partook of that character, and was memorable in the annals of
Monroe and of tlie state of Michigan.
An immense concourse of people assembled at the scene on the public
square wliere the magnificent statue stood under the drapery of two
huge American flag^; it filled every available space for blocks around;
the people came from far and near to do iionor to tlie gallant cavalryman.
A grand stand accommodating t>00 honored guests was filled with an
interesting throng, while the President of the I'uited States with his
suite and military aids, the governor of the state, her two senators and
the members of the monument commission, with Mrs. Elinaltetli Bacon
Custer, the General's widow, and her friends were seated at the front;
just at the foot of the platform containing these distinguished visitors,
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 241
a gram! chorus of seventy-five of Monroe's fairest young iadies were
seated, with orchestra and a military band. At tlie left of the grand
stand, in front of the speakers, chairs were occupied by representatives
of the press of the whole country to the number of sixty-seven; photog-
raphers innumerable recorded the inspiring scene which eclipsed any
former demonstration in the state of Michigan in dignity, sentiment, and
quality of its composition and the enthusiasm of its participants.
The oration of the day was by Senator "W. A. Smith of Grand Rapids,
and was a most eloquent, scholarly and worthy tribute to the man and
the occasion which inspired it, and was paid the compliment of tre-
mendous cheers and applause.
Phesident Taft's Address
The address by the President of the United States, William Howard
Taft, was received by the great audience with tumultuous applause and
every demonstration of approval. The address was not of great length,
and this fact enables me to present it entire, as worthy of preservation
for its beautiful tribute to the General, especially as it emphasized his
great services to the Union in the development of the boundless west.
Following is the address of the President :
Jtr. Chairman, Mrs. Custer, FcUnw Citizens of Michigan ami of the Unttcil
States, Ladies anj Gentlemen: — After the most appropriate and eloquent oration of
your distinguished Senator in Congress from Jliehigan, there remains but little
for me to say. Ue spoke on behalf of the people of Michigan and spoke most of
fli<)Be services whith Custer rendered during the Civil war, in ivhit'h the State of
Jlieliigan took rightly especial pride and look back to the memory of Cnster ivith
^special gratituile.
A typical soldier; a great cavalry commander, a man ithose momory brings ont
of the past the names of the greatest cavalry commanders of the world; Murat,
Princp Rupert and others; lie stands equal with all of them. From Bull Run to
Appomattox, in every bloody battle of tiie Army of the Potamac, ho was the right
urni of the commander of the forces as the leader of the cavalry corps and the
euviiUy brigade.
.V ISrigadier-tieneral at tiventy-three ; a Major-tieneral at tuenty-fivp, he showed
in hisi life that same worth and force that we have in most of the great military
ccimmanders of the world.
But I came here, my friends, to speak today of a phase of Concral. Custer's
cari'i'r tiiot is not dwelt upon with as much emphasis and gratitude as I think It
dcHcrves. He ftooil among the heroes of tlie Civil war and tot four years he led
his cavalry in the defense of the flag to unite the Union. But, after the war, for
ten years he rendered a service to his country that we do not as fully appreciate
as 1 wish we did. lie was one of that small band of twenty-five thousand men con-
stituting the regular array of the United States, without whose service, whose
exposure to danger, whose loss of life and ivhope hardships and trials, it would not
have been possible for us to have settled the great west. (Applause). The story
of thnt campaign of ten or fifteen years, in which tliat small body of men. led by
Ibe generals who had been at the head of their tens of thousands in the Civil war
and who now only had under them hundreds where they had had ten of thousands
before, no do not know as w-ell as we should. The trials, the cruelty, the dangers
they had to undergo in protecting the moving settler toward the west, in making
the building of railroads possible, and in putting down and driving out the bIoo<ly
Indians whose murders made the settlement, until tjiey were driven out, impossible.
Thnt regular army is an army of whom the United States may well !:o prond, nnd
the o'Ticers' wives, of whom Mrs. Custer is so conspicuous and channinu' an example,
contributed their full share, (Long applause.) And I am here not to dwell upon
it hut only to note, as the President of the United States, the indebtedness of the
country to the regular army during those ten or fifteen years in opening the west and
to testify to the effectiveness and heroism of General George Armstrong Custer in
that great battle continued for a decade; that great war for civiliiation. of which
he was the most conspicuous and shining sacrifice. (Long continued applause.)
At the proper time, the great folds of the stars and xtripes which had
hitherto concealed the noble colossal statue in bronze upon its granite
pedestal, were liberated by the hand of Mrs. Custer, who gracefully
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242 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
handled the yellow satin band by which this function was accomplished,
and the noble figures of horse and rider flashed in the June sunlight,
the military bands played Custer's favorite charging tune, "Garry
Owen," finishing with the "Star Spangled Banuer." This was the
dramatic episode, the psychological moment of the occasion, and the
thousands of voices rose in one loud and long cheer as they realized that
here in Monroe, the home town that Custer loved, had at last been raised
a lasting memorial to his glory as a soldier and his universal fame as a
cavalry man. On the speakers' platform stood the school desk at which
he and his classmate sat when attending the Stebbins Academy in boy-
hood.
Following is the offii'ial progidmrae;
loiocatmn by Right Reverend John S Foley, Bishop of Detroit.
Eeport of Monument Commission bj Colonel (ileorge G. Briggs.
Remarks by the Sculptor, Mr Edward C. Potter.
UnseiliHg of Statue by Mrs. Bh^abeth B. Custer.
Saitite of 17 guns by First Battery, Field Artillery, M. ^■. G.; band playing Custer's
Charging Tune "Garry Owen" and " Star- Spangled Banner."
Address by The President of the United States.
Oration by Senator William Alden Smith.
Remarks by Major General D. Mell. Gregg, Commander of the Second Cnvalry
division. Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Poem by Will. Carieton.
Presentation of Statue by Governor Fred M. Warner.
Response by Hon. Jacob Martin, Mayor of Wonrde.
"America" by the band.
Placing of Laurel Wreaths at base of lionument by President William O. Lee,
Michigan Cavalry Brigade Association. While these wreaths were being placed,
"The Old Brigade" was sung by a chorus of 75 voii^es.
Benediction by Reverend Chas. O'Meara of Monroe, Michigan.
The Reunion and Caiqp Fire of the Michigan ("Cavalry Brigade pre-
ceded the ceremonies of unveiling, on the day previous, which was a
notable occasion and filled the armory and opera house to its utmost
capacity: The programme was a most interesting one.
Another most pleasant and satisfactory function in connection with
President Taft's visit to Monroe, was a public reception tendered him
at St. Mary's Academy where many hundreds availed themselves of the
opportunity to pay honor to the chief magistrate of the nation, and where
special exercises were arranged for the interesting occasion, a feature of
which was an address of welcome by one of the young lady students,
and the presentation of garlands of flowers by a class of young ladies,
to the president, who was delighted by this attention and made an appro-
priate and feeling response.
The entire city was profusely decorated, and presented a gala appear-
ance, national colors floating from every available point.
The parade was a military demonstration entirely under the direc-
tion of William T. McGurrin, adjutant general of Michigan, one of the
most striking and interesting features of which was the large number of
veterans of the old Custer brigade, most of them with white heads, and
faces furrowed with the seams of years, who marched sturdily through
the long line of march.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 243
There were about four hundred survivors of the four regiments, who
were most hospitably entertained by the warm hearted people of Monroe,
who took them into their homes and cared for them as members of their
own famibes. They were assigned the p!a«e of honor in the parade, and
during the ceremonies at the statue.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
CouKT House, Monroe
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CHAPTEB XIX
COUNTY ORGANIZATION
Original Titles to Lands — Original Creating Act — Immediate Causu
OF Organization — 1805, an Eventful Year — Period ot* Civil Unrest
— County Seat Established — Finances and Financiers — The Old
Court House — Early Legal Affairs — Monroe County Farm and
Infirmary
The first steps in the settlements of the northwest were somewhat
different from those which were taken in the southern country along tlie
Mississippi river. In the former the title to lands was vested in the
Indians who occupied the lands throughout the regions of the great
Original Titles to Lands
111 the south, title to the whole valley of the Mississippi was vested
in France by right of discovery. It is true that De Soto, a Spaniard, dis-
covered the river, but no effort was ever made by his country to colonize
the land, and Spain's rights, if any, lapsed in the 131 years between De
Soto's death in 1542 and the arrival of the French in 1673. On the latter
date the Mississippi was made known to the world by Marquette and
Joliet.
The French title of that section of the Nouvelle France commenced
on the 17th of June, 1673, when we learn from Pere Marquette's quaint
journal that he and his party of explorers paddled from the Wisconsin
river onto the Mississippi m'ec tine joye que je ne peux pas expUquer
"with a joy that I cannot explain."
The next step in the perfection of French title was the establishment
of the settlements. The first of these was when LaSalle came over the
Chicago portage and set up Fort Creve Coeur ("broken heart," because
of his many sore disappointments), on the Illinois river, near the present
site of the city of Peoria. This station and aJiother, St. Louis de Roeher.
at Starved Rock, were presided over by LaSalle 's captain DeTonty; he
of the "Iron Hand."
Cahokia, well nigh forgotten amid the swamps by all save frog hunt-
ers and crappie fishers, bears the distinction of being the first French
settlement of that region that exists to the present day. It became a
little French hamlet in 1699, years and years before the establishment of
St. Louis, and stall Cahokia is a little French hamlet. After Caliokia,
came Kaskaskia, near the present Chester, Illinois, and after that, a series
of river towns, also French, found their way upon the map. The French
customs and the very names of these villages have long since vanished.
There is no longer any "San Louie," nor any Carondelay," but their
French land systems are as important today as they were in the days of
the keel boat, and the coonskin cap. Very much more important, in fact,
because of the immense value of these Frenchmen's farms, now that
245
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246 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
they are covered, at least in St. Louis with long rows of briek and stone
blocks, and their boundaries are outlined with street car tracks. The
old French Town System consisted of a Town, a Commons and a Coninioii
Fields. The town was a little tract divided into small square blocks,
each block individually owned by an "habitant." The "Commons" was
not owned by individuals, but the title was in the town as a corporation ;
it was common grazing ground for the cattle of the whole village, but
the Common fields were owned by individuals, and were long narrow
strips of land laid out parallel and running back to the depths of from
one to two miles. The same form of early arrangement with which we
are familiar in this country and also along the River St. Lawrence, and
adopted as a safe guard against Indian attack; the inhabitants commenc-
ing to wnrk at the front of the farm and working back towards the forest.
The entire population being strung along in a line, living closely together ;
as well for more convenient social intercourse, as for mutual defense.
The American system of sections, is of course very different from the
French Town System. We divide the whole face of the land into a gigan-
tic gridiron of townships, ranges, sections, quarter sections and ' ' forties, ' '
and all must conform thereto.
It is readily perceived that up to the settlement of Detroit by LaMotte
Cadillac, there was nothing out of which any political future could grow.
The posts, although important for military purposes, had no other sig-
nificance. The French system was evidently not designed nor intended
to build up self-governing communities; theoretically and mostly, prac-
tically, there was absolutism; and the Royal prerogatives were never
delegated to the colonial authorities, except in a very (|ualitied way; and
while there were perpetrated great frauds and abuses, there was, on the
whole ; a respect for law. These matters are important in the considera-
tion of the beginning of settlements along the Raisin, as a background,
and foundation, only. What followed, was simply the logical progres-
sion from the conditions and established customs, which formulated the
later laws and procedures.
On the 14th of July, 1817, twelve years after the organization of the
territory of Michigan the county of Monroe was established. Wayne
county originally comprised the entire lower peninsula of Michigan, a
part of the upper peninsula as well as adjoining portions of Ohio, Indi-
ana and Wisconsin. Prom this vast tract Monroe county was set off
by proclamation of Gen. Lewis Cass, then governor of Michigan terri-
tory ; the present Wayne county having been established two years
earlier.
Originai, Creating Act
The original proclamation by which the boundaries of this county
were first established is here given r "Whereas, It is considered that the
public good will be promoted by the erection of a new county in the said
territory ;
"Therefore, I do, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested,
constitute the whole of that portion of said territory of Michigan which
is included within the lines and limits following, that is to say r Begin-
ning at the mouth of the river Huron of Lake Erie, within said territory ;
thence up the said river in the middle thereof until its intersection with
the line between the third and fourth tier of townships south of the
"base line" so called; thence due west with the said line until it shall
intellect the present Indian boundary line, namely, to the western line
of the first range; thence with said line due south to the southern
botmdary of said territory ; thenee along the southern boundary thereof,
easterly to the southeast corner thereof; thenee northerly along the
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 247
eastern boundary of said territory to a point due east from the place of
beginning; thenee to the place of beginning; to be and remain hence-
forward a separate eounty, to be called the county of Monroe.
" Given under mj' iiand and the great sea! of said territory, at Detroit,
this fourteenth day of July, A. D., one thousand eight hundred and
seventeen, and in the fortieth year of the independence of the United
States of America.
"Lew. Cass."
A second proclamation, issued five years later, attached' to it the
county of Lenawee, from which it was separated in 1826; "The eounty
of Monroe, established by an executive act of July 14, 1817, shall be
Iwunded as follows : ' ' Beginning at tlie boundary line between the United
States and the province of Upper Canada, where the southern boundary
of the county of Wayne intersects the same, tlienee with the said southern
boundary, west to the mouth of the river Huron of Lake Erie; thence
with the said boundary, keeping the middle of said river, to the line
between the townships numbered four and five south of the base line;
thence west to the line between the territory of Michigan and the state
of Ohio, thenee with the said line to the boundary between the United
States and the province of upper Canada ; thence with the said boundary
line to the place of beginning. • • *
"In testimony whereof I have caused these letters to be made patent,
and the great seal of the said territory to be ailSxed. Given under my
hand at Detroit, this tenth day of September, in the year of onr Lord
one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two. and of the independence
of the United States, the forty-seventh.
"Lew. C.vss. "
Immemate Cause of Organization
The immediate occasion for the organization of Monroe county was
possibly the expected visit from the President of the United States,
Hon. James Monroe, who had already started on his tour through the
northern states. He arrived at Detroit about the middle of August,
accompanied by a party of distinguished officers of the government
and of the army. On the 14th he reviewed the troops in Detroit, on
which occasion Governor Cass, on behalf of the state of New York, pre-
sented to Ma,ior General Alexander Macomb a magnificient sword suit-
ably inscribed in honor of his gallant conduct at the battle of Platta-
burgh. Generals Brown and "Wool were present and possibly General
McNeil, as he went north soon after. The occasion was made brilliant
by every feature that could at that early day be utilized. It is nowhere
recorded that the President extended his visit on this occasion, to the
historic town on the River Raisin, which with the county was named
in his honor. He no doubt fully appreciated the distinguished mark of
the esteem and approval of the people of Monroe, conferred upon him,
in naming the second city of the northwest, the most beautiful then, as it
is now. in the whole galaxy that forms the brilliant crown of the union.
Monroe has never had cause to regret the choice of a name, nor to
be ashamed of any act of the noble Virginian. The "Monroe Doctrine"
was alone sufficient to place his name among our great statesmen and
that able and patriotic state document among the most priz'ed and
venerated m our govcrniiii']it archives or upon our statutes.
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248 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
1805 AN Eventful Year
A few years previous to this, in 1805, Governor Hull by proclama-
tion established the district of Erie, a portion of which had constituted
Monroe county, embracing the strip on the south to the width of ten
miles, which was subsequently the cause of strife which delayed the
admission of Michigan into the federal union, and was the cause of
that exciting but bloodless controversy the "Toledo war."
In this year, 1805, the first session of the United States district
court was held by Chief Justice Augustus B. "Woodward; Frederick
Bates, associate judge ; George JIcDougall, clerk ; Solomon Sibley, Eli-
jah Brush, attorneys. There being no public building suitable, the
court convened at the residence of Jean Baptiste Jereaume, vv..ich was
situated in Frenchtown, on the north bank of the River Raisin, in
what is now the fourth ward of Monroe, and was near the point where
the Michigan Central Railroad crosses the river. The grand jury called
at that session of the court, consisted of the following citizens: John
Anderson, Francis Navarre, Israel Ruland, Ethan Baldwin, Alex. Ewjng,
Isadore Navarre, Jacques Navaree, Joseph F. Moulton. Robert Navarre,
Joseph Dazette, Joseph Jobien, John B, Lasselle, Bernhard Parker,
Jean Chavet, Samuel Ewiiig, Samuel Egnew, and Joseph Pouget.
During the following year the Indian title was extinguished to all
the lands in the county of Jlonroe, excepting a tract three miles square,
known as the "Mason Reserve," which was afterwards ceded by the
Indians to the Catholic church of Sainte Ann of Detroit, and subse-
quently acquired by Hon, Isaac P. Christiancy, when it became known
as the "Christiancy tract."
Period of Civil Unreht
Upon the declaration of war, June 18th, 1812, conditions in this
part of the territory naturally underwent a very great change, every-
thing became unsettled and apparently insecure and unsafe, for no
person seemed able to predict "what would happen next" or what the
effect would be upon these frontier settlements. The Indians were in
a condition of unrest and their suspicious natures were worked upon
by the agents of the enemy to produce a feeling of distrust and enmity
towards those who were formerly their friends and neighbors and with
whom they had lived on terms of peace and friendliness. On the comer
of the present site of the Intenirban Railway power-house, corner of
Elm avenue and Anderson street, there stood a block-house enclosed by
a substantial stockade or picketed space made of the trunks of large
saplings of sizes of a foot or less in diameter, sharpened with the axe
on one end and firmly planted in the ground, the upper portion being
secured together with thongs of hickory or elm or by wooden pins,
binding them securely into a stout and serviceable fence from six to
eight feet in height; this structure was called the "fort" and into this
the American women and children were forced to resort for protection
from the Indians for several weeks. So disagreeable and dangerous
did this become that many families of the Americans removed to Ohio and
Kentucky. Numerous French settlers and their families likewise
departed for Canada, greatly reducing the number of settlers who
remained ; so that this particular section was largely depopulated and
the block-house and the buildings connected with it as a part of the
fort, was by orders of Proctor, burned to prevent it falling into the
hands of the American forces under General Harrison.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 249
County Seat Established
Jtonroe county, as established, comprised all of the present county
together with all of Lenawee and Washtenaw counties and the place of
holding the county court was designated "at such place not exceeding
two miles distant from the house of Francois Lasalle, on the hank of
the River Raisin as the court might select." On September 4th, 1817,
the town of Monroe was established and made the county seat of Monroe
county. There being no building available or suitable for temporarily
being used for county purposes, holding of courts or confining criminals,
steps were at once taken to remedy this deficiency and in December fol-
lowing, provision was made for the construction of a court-house, which
was to be located on the southwestern corner of the public square, near
the present site of the Presbyterian church. The ground to be devoted
to this "public square" was donated by Joseph Lorauger in the deed of
conveyance. This instrument is recorded in the office of the register of
deeds of Monroe county. Liber "C" and is called "the bond of Joseph
Lorauger, yeoman, of the River Raisin, county of Monroe, territory of
Michigan, on consideration that the commissioners appointed his excel-
lancy, Lewis Cass, governor of the territory of Michigan to locate the
"scite" for the county seat and court-house and gaol in said county have
located the same upon my farm, situated on the south-side of the River
Raisin, in said county, the same laying nearly opposite the dwelling of
Col. John Anderson, and in considei-afion of one dollar," etc., etc. The
deed conveying one acre of land "for the use of the public, for the pur-
pose of erecting a court-house and. gaol, ' ' towards the erection of which he
also agreed to give .$1,000 in cash. This instrument is dated August 9th,
1817. This, however, is not the first deed recorded in Monroe county for
the record is found of a mortgage deed, executed January 14th, 1809,
between Hubert La Croix of the district of Erie, territory of Michigan,
and Mungo Kay, and James Smith of the city of Montreal, province
of Canada, which covers several pages in the French language. The
instruments of conveyance were not numerous during that and the few
following years.
Finances and Financiers
The financial afl'airs of the territory were by no means satisfactory.
The currency chiefly in circulation was Ohio paper, which was becoming
of very low credit, and private bills or "shin plasters," which very soon
became far more abundant than the prosperity of the country required.
In certain portions wliere the newspapers had not penetrated, business
was carried on upon the system of barter or ' ' dicker, " as it was then gen-
erally called and occasionally specific articles became practically legal
tender. Among other things it is related that in one community, nests
of wooden bowls, became current for small (;hange, as shingles were, a
little later. Maple sugar and peltries were so common a medium of
exchange with the traders that these articles answered very well the uses
of money.
There were "financiers," nevertheless, who understood their position,
and an instance of modern "high finance" is told of one slirewd gentle-
man who, being in an adjoining state where he was personally unknown
and where some of the shin plasters, in which he was interested, cir-
culated, he took part in the abuse lavished on them and induced some of
his tradncers to join with him in manifesting proper contempt for such
trash by burning it — he setting the example by throwing a large bundle
of the stuff into the flames. This was, of course, not only exceedingly
gratifying to the indignant holders of the bills, as showing their out-
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250 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
raged feelings, hut in a greater degree to the issuers of the obligations
which thereby bei'ame quite beyond all danger of presentation for
redemption.
The county of Jloiiroe is divided into fifteen townships whicii,
arranged alphabetically, are as follows: Ash, Bedford, Berlin, Dundee,
Erie, Exeter, Frenehtown, Ida, Lasalle, London, Milan, Monroe, Raisin-
ville, Sumnierfield, and Whiteford; these were settled by an industrious
class of farmers, many of them at an early day when the country was
sparsely settled and the county covered by tracts of heavy forests, inter-
spersed by oak openings and extensive sand and marsh areas; the date
of their organization and historical notes of their development will be
found under another division.
Tfii: Old CocifT-iiorsK
An old citizen says of the ancient court-house: "The old court-
house can only be regarded by one who was acquainted with its exterior
Built in 1839; Buened February 28, 1879"
and with its precincts, with very littie reverence ; it occupied the
present site of the Presbyterian church. I think the body was of logs,
two stories in height, of a dingy yellow color. A door in the center with
a hall through and a stair-ease. On one side was the jail and on the
other, in the first story, was the residence of the jailer, and in the second
story was the court-room, also devoted to religious and public meetings.
The jail was dark, dingy, dreary and forlorn ; and on its entrance should
have been inscribed, as on the portals of the inquisition, "He who enters
here, must leave all hope behind."
"The old court-room is replete with historic facts and reminiscenes.
only a few of which I remember. It was there commenced the difficulties
in the Presbyterian church, which finally resulted in a division and the
establishment of the second church. A Mr. Dunbar, who flourished as
a teacher of music, the leader of the choir and the sole proprietor of a
shop on the upper bridge where he manufactured elothes-pins, or some
other luxury of family use, was determined to introduce a "big fiddle"
into the choir. Some of the old gentlemen who were of more puritanic
proclivities, were determined that he should not. They considered it a.
t representi the fine Ktone btiililing- whieh replaced the original log
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 251
sclieme of Belial, who is supposed to be tliat mythical gentleman with the
forked tail and clubfoot. But the battle "waxed loud and long," and
although it did not come to downright blows, it stirred the eommunity.
Mr. Dunbar and his "big fiddle" had to "vamoose the raneh." and play
in another arena.
"At another time the old court-house was the scene of some excited
religious meeting. A sensational preacher who rejoiced in the name
of Weed, was the leading man. On the occasion to which I refer a num-
ber of outsiders had been listening to him and he was very enthusiastic
on the subject of Hell, which has attracted the attention of great and
small lights of the present tlay. He closed his discourse by stating "that
there would l>e an anxious meeting after the benediction was pronounced
and all were invited to attend ; but those who crossed that threshold
might find hell gaping for them." These might not have been the exact
words, but they were substantially the beautiful and Christian senti-
ment of the man. Myself and a few other sinners who were sitting
together and who did not believe in the authority of any human biped —
although he might be crammed with theology, dressed in a swallow-tailed
coat and a stove-pipe hat — to limit, even by supposition, the prerogatives
of the Almighty, concluded to venture over the threshold and see what
kind of a prophet he was and if we saw any kind of a "gape" we would
return and join the insidei-s. There was nothing startling occurred at
this after meeting except the incident of a pugnacious individual con-
siderably under "the influence" who offered to "thrash" the speaker
then and there. The offer was declined and the fierce combatant ejected.
"It is a well established fact that there never was a place, in the
memory of any person who has resided here for the last fifty years, so
prolific in men of education, or of practical talent, intellectual strength
and so great in political power as many of those who have flourished dur-
ing that period. Hence it was the "independent state," and it governed
the state politically for several years. Of course that assertion applies
more particularly to the years from about 1840 to 1855. During the
best days we had such men as Austin E. Wing, Col, Anderson, Chas.
Noble. Col. Johnson, Dr. Robert Clark, Col. Ijamson, Major Bulkley,
Judge Lawrence, General Humphrey, Daniel S. Bacon, P. P. Ferry,
Dan B. Miller, T. G. Cole, D. A. Noble, and 1 might enumerate twenty
more. I assert without fear of contradiction that no such practical,
intellectual and superior inen were ever gathered together in a new
country.
"General Humphrey was a man of marked character. He was a
native of Vermont, and settled in this city when a young man. His
education was limited but he had the happy faculty of concealing the
want of it. His perspicacity was strongly developed, being an acute
judge of men and character; had great power of political combination
as well as acquisitiveness; a man of strong prepossessions and kind
hearted ; physically a splendid specimen of a man, he stood over six feet,
was of great strength, lithe as an Indian and quick as a tiger, and was
not subject to anger or excitement. On one morning when he and Charles
Humphrey kept the Mansion House, three loafers who had been drink-
ing and were very boisterous and ugly in the bar-room were ordered out
by the clerk. But they would not go and he called General Humphrey.
He came in and ordered them out, but they only replied with black-
guardism. As quick as lightning he picked up the three in rotation and
piled them in the corner of the room with such velocity and force that
I thought every bone in their bodies would have been broken. He then
placed his foot upon the top man and asked them 'if they were ready to
go now?' To which they all replied in the affirmative. And they went
about as quick as they could get out of that comer. He did not seem
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JIoNROE County Uuildin(js
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 253
oxcited but smiled, iind remarked, 'men must be quiet in this house.'
Oji another occasion he had a dispute with Chapman in referenee to a
bag of flour. Chapman fled into the street and General Humphry-
pursued him and caught him, in the center of Front street. He collared
him with one hand, a grip not to be triiled with, then he held the flour
over his head, shook the bag thoroughly and Chapman emerged from
that shower a whiter and a sadder man. One anecdote of a political
character which can hurt nobody, as the parties and politics have all
passed away. During the Tyler administration he was United States
marshal of this state, and one day he called on the postmaster, who, with
himself, were supposed to constitute the Tyler party, and informed him
confidentially, ' that something must be done and a meeting held, or the
party was gone to the dickens.' So the party immediately proceeded
to hold a meeting."
JIoNROE County Farm and Fnpibmaey
The county farm has always proved a good asset to the taxpayer, and
Ihc infirmary, or "poorhouse," a beneficent institution to the dependent
poor and the other unfortunates of the county's care.
Previous to 1878 the buildings were of wood, built many years before,
enlarged and altered from time to time, to meet increasing necessities,
hut they were constructed simply for the re(|uirements of housing and
protecting those who were involuntary recipients of charity. Hut the
accommodations gradually became inadequate and the sanitary provisions
wholly out of character for an institution of this kind, in a community
like Jlonroe eotinty.
Finally in 1878 the board of supervisors, believing that tiiey were
fully .iustified in taking steps to provide much needed improvements and
better accommodations in many ways, issued an address in pamphlet
form to the (jualifled voters of the county, explaining the existing cou-
<litions. and lack of proper arrangements for the decent care of the iii-
iiijiles of County House, and presenting a plan for remedying the pxist-
injj; evils and shortcomings, viz: the building of an entirely ne.v infirm-
ary, at the same time submitting estimates of the cost of same. An
extract from this address of the board of supervisors will explain the
proposed action: "It is proposed to biiild a plain, substantial brirk
edifice at a cost not to exceed ten thousand dollars. For that sum, with
the facilities which the farm aft'ords in furnishing timber ami other
materials, a good, suitalile and permanent building can be erected. The
supervisors wish the people to understand this as an assurance that the
co'it is to be kept within those figures."
The proposition met with favor and at the polls Ihe vote was largely
in support of the movement, authorizing the appropriation of sflO.OOO
for the purpose stated. The building operations were promptly be-
ffuii and the work completed before the close of the year. The contrac-
tors were Monroe men, honest and interested in the work, and the result
was a creditable institution more in accordance with the importance
of the county. Though built nearly forty years ago it stands a credit-
able and substantial monument to its builders and the conscientious
efforts of the contractors, and has met all the requirements of an institu-
tion of this character. It has accommodations and cares for about forty
to fifty inmates, as an average for the year, and, as a rule, the keepers
have proved well qualified to fill this responsible and trying petition.
The present steward, or keeper, is Mr. Jacob Lambert, who has been
in charge about three years. The term of service of this official is optional
with the board of supervisors and rests somewhat directly with the com-
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254 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
mittee on infirmary and the "poor farm" — which was constituted in
1912 of the following: Fred C. Nadeau, city; J. S. Knapp, Ida; C. C.
Maxwell, Carleton. Tlie county farm is situated on the River Raisin in
the township of " Raisinville, about three and one-half miles west of
Monroe, and comprises about three hundred and fifty acres of very pro-
ductive land, yielding diversified crops common to this locality. The
stock raised in the farm, of all classes, is of the most approved breeds,
and the beef especially, marketed with local dealers during the holiday
season, is of superior quality, and the dressed carcasses when exhibited
at the holiday season never fail to attract marked attention.
The infirmary was equipped for electric lighting in May, 1912, at
a cost of $1,770.75, and arrangements made with the city for the neces-
sary current which wilt be supplied by the municipal lighting plant.
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Google
CHAPTER XX
BENCH AND BAR
The Territorial Period and Beyund^Legal "Xotis" — Early 3Iem-
BEBS OP THE Monroe Bar — Hon. Robert McClelland — Hon.
Alpiieus Pelch — Hon, Warner "Wing — Hon. David Addison Noble
— Hon. Wolcott Lawrence — Hon. Jefferson G. Tiiurber — James
Q. Adams — Gouverneur Morris — Talcott E. Wing.
The Territorial Period and Beyond
The bench and bar Ijeeame prominent in the affairs of jronroe at
an early day, ^nd grew rapidly in importanee, as events developed the
necessity for able and lionest men to properly construe the law, and to
protect the interests of the common people against injustice and hard-
ships in the conduct of their affairs, and to guide them in safety through
litigation which might work wrong and loss to them. This being a por-
tion of the experience in the history of every new community. The bar
of Monroe has always been recognized as a peculiarly strong one ; from its
numbers men have been called to occupy elevated positions in the state
and nation, whose responsible duties they discharged in such satisfactory
manner as to command the approval and hearty commendation of their
fellow citizens. The bar of Monroe county has furnished able and learned
men to the Supreme Court of the state, to the United States senate, the
cabinets of presidents, and other exalted positions, including important
boards and commissions in the service of the general government and of
the commonwealth.
The early history of legal practice in the territory is largely embodied
in the biographies of the judges and lawyers of the times, and in the in-
teresting narratives which they have left covering their experiences in the
stirring events of that period. Unfortunately, but few of the greater men
felt an interest in preserving records like these, but those which have been
handed down to us, and by men of the higher type and of scrupulous
honesty and integrity, which adds value to their writings. There
was something to be deplored in the manner of administration of justice
in the primitive times, when there was so much need of ability and rec-
titude— in the formation of laws and in the administration of them. The
procedure in many cases savored too much of ignorance, prejudice and
cupidity ; of laxity in moral perception ; while the element of broad
humor was not lacking to lighten the often sombre and tedious court
trials.
The earliest court of record established in the county was on May
8, 1807, when the Court of Common Pleas was organized by the author-
ity of the governor and judges. This court differed from the present
Circuit Court, and other forms of judicial organizations as then known
or as they are at present constituted. It consisted of a chief justice, and
two associate justices, appointed by the governor and judges. These
255
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256 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
positions were filled, in organizing tlie first court by tlie appointment
of John Anderson, chief justice, and Moses Morse and Francois Navarre
as associate justices. These men were continued in office during the
years 1809 and 1810. The sessions of this court, in the absence of a
courthouse or other suitable public building were held either at the house
of John Baptiste Lasalle, on the north side of the River Saisin or at the
holise of Col. Francois Navarre, one of the associate justices, situated on
the south side of the river, on the site of the Sawyer residence. In
1818 Isaac Lee was chief justice, and John Anderson and Francis La-
salle served as associate justices. Charles Noble, a young lawyer was
at this time prosecuting attorney.
LEtJ.VL "NOTJS."
In talking with the early settlers about the forms of legal procedure
that prevailed here in the period immediately succeeding the organiza-
tion of Monroe county and along about 1830 one gets the idea that tri-
bunals were conducted on rather a primitive plan in those days ; but as
f{)r that justice was probably no more recklessly dispensed with than it
has been in later years. It has been contended even by such massive
intellects as Daniel Webster is generally credited with having possessed,
that of the most hazardous things known to the workings of the human
mind nothing is more uncertain than the conclusion of a petit jury and
many amusing incidents are related to confirm this.
A pioneer form of legal notice notifying "all persons" of the capture
and impounding of a stray "creetur" in a remote part of the county
which was printed in wonderful hieroglyphics on a rough unpaiuted
board and nailed to a roadside tree : *
K0TI8
Wo the ondersined has kild an old mischeveoiis brown stra Kreeter, piirportin
to be Long to some Non-resanented inhabitant of This tomnshipi), wliieh we judged
the same to be a iiewsenee! all persons consarned in said Krt'Ptur or Otherwise,
is hereby Notyfieil to govern themselves Ackordinglj, Witness t.iir return hereon
Indorsed. July 2d, 1855.
Early JIembebs of the Monroe Bar
The names of a number of the early prominent metiilnTH of the lejral
profession in Slonroc will be recalled by events with which they were
identified when Monroe was attracting attention in the northwest, and
the young state was forging rapidly to the front. One of these who
attained high honors in the state and nation w;is (iovernor Robert Mc-
Clelland, who came to Monroe from Pennsylvania in 18:?:J. Upon his
arrival he formed a partnership with James Q. Adams, which existed for
two years when he opened an office in 18.35 and commenced a lucrative
practice alone.
Hon. Robert JIcClei.i.and
was born at Green Castle, Pennsylvania, Aujrust 1, 1807. lie was the son
of an eminent physician of that place. He graduated at Dickinson Col-
lege (Carlisle, Pennsylvania) in 1829; was admitted to the bar at Cham-
bersburg in 1831. and after practicing there a short time went to Pitts-
burgh and practiced his profession there for about a year, and then re-
moved to Monroe, Michigan, in the summer or fall of 1833. He went
into partnership for about two years with James Q. Adams, then in 1835
opened en office and practiced alone and with great success.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 257
Mr. MeClelland was a membtir of the constitutional convention of
Michigan in 1835 ; a member of the state legislature in 1838, 1840 and
1843, and speaker of the House in the latter year (and the Michigan
legislature, never had a more accomplished speaker) , a member of Con-
gress for three successive terms (Twenty-eighth, Twenty -ninth and Thir-
tieth Congresses), from 1843 to 1849; member of the constitutional con-
vention of 1850; the first governor for the short terra under the new con-
stitution for 1852, elected in 3852 for the terin of two years, and went
into office as governor January 1, 1853. On the inauguration of Frank-
lin Pierce as President, March 4, 1853, McClelland was appointed Secre-
tary of the Interior, in which he continued till the end of Pierce's admin-
istration, aiarch 4, 1857. This was his last public office. This list shows
of itself that he must have been above the average of men in ability and
fidelity to the public interests. And when it is further stated that he
performed the duties of these -(-arious offices with credit to himself and a
high reputation among all parties for ability and integrity, little more
need to be said of him in this direction.
In 1836 Mr. McClelland married Miss Elizabeth Sabin, a beautiful and
estimable lady, who died at Detroit in 1884. He had removed to Detroit
prior to his election as governor, and resided there afterwards till his
death, August 30, 1880. As a politician he was eminently cautious
and conservative, and when he thouglit his party was going to extremes
in any direction, he used his best efforts to restrain them ; but like a
true politician, if in spite of his efforts they persisted, he did not
denounce them or leave them, but went with them, though against
his better judgment, probably believing that by so doing he could
have a more salutary influence in restraining them from dangerous ex-
tremes than by coming out in open and direct opposition by which that
influence would be lost. Doubtless many other patriotic men of all par-
ties have honestly acted upon the like principle. As a man and a citizen
he was strictly just and fair, and while exacting what was his due he
was careful to exact nothing more. He was of a cheerful and social
disposition, of pleasant address and popular manners, never morose or
fretful, and if ever melancholy or despondent he would successfully con-
ceal it.
Hon. Alpheus Felcii
Among the distinguished men who stand at the head of their profes-
sion and in the councils of the state and nation who are proudly remem-
bered as early members of the Monroe bar conspicuously stands the Hon,
Alpheus Pelch, who was bom at Limerick, York county, Maine, Septem-
ber 28, 1804. After an academic course at Exeter Academy, New Hamp-
shire, he graduated at Bowdoin College in 1827, and immediately be-
came a student-at-law at Freyberg, Maine, and was admitted to the bar
at Bangor, Maine, in autumn, 1830. Commenced practice at Houlton,
Maine, in the fall of that year, where he continued in practice until the
spring of 1833. He came to Monroe, Michigan, in the summer of 1833
and opened an office tbere in August of that year, and continued to re-
side there until September, 1843, when he removed to Ann Arbor, which
has since been his residence.
Governor Felch was elected to the house of representatives of Michi-
gan in 1835 and again in 1836. Early in 1838 he was appointed bank
commissioner. In February, 1842, appointed auditor general of this
state, but soon after entering upon its duties was appointed by Governor
Barry associate justice of the supreme court, and in January, 1843, was
nominated and confirmed as such justice to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of William A. Fletcher and also for the succeeding full term.
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258 HISTOEY OF MONROE COUNTY
In November, 1845, he was elected governor of the state. In 1847 was
elected United States senator.
After expiration of his term as senator in March, 1853, Governor
Feleh was appointed by the President one of the commissioners to settle
land claims under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and was president
of the board. He returned to Michigan in June, 1856 (the labors of the
commission being closed), and from that time to 1873 engaged in pro-
fessional business as a lawyer. From this time for several years he
became nearly blind and was unable to do business. But in 1879, having
partially recovered his sight, he was appointed professor of law in the
law department of the University of Michigan and continued to act in
that capacity until 1883, when he resigned and did not afterwards en-
gage in any oiReial business.
Hon. Warner Wing
None has probably achieved a more honored position than Judge
Wing nor received the approval of his fellowmen to a greater degree.
On the occasion of his death in March, 1876, the following tribute from
a former law partner and a lifelong friend, Hon. Robert McClelland,
was written:
"Detroit, March 11, 1876. Dear Sir: — Yours has been reed., and the baste
required prevent my writiog as I should desire.
"Judge Wing (if I mistake not) was a practising attorney, in partnership with
Hon D 4 ^oble when I arri\ed m Monroe leby 1833 ind I beheie Duatrat Atty
for Monroe tounty He discharged the duties of this office admirabh but became
disgusted with the duties of and the >inial1 compensati n attael ed to it
He was elected Senator anl I belieie served as such id 1S3S and ISSS He was
one ot (he foremost in the Legislature during his seriioe. and to show its appre
eiadou of his standing the democratic majority nominated oim for election for U 8
Senate but some three or four ot the majority (democrats) — Toted against him
in joint convention on the grounl that he was a member ot the Senate and there
fore ineligible aecnrling to the constitution t I'*35 The majority (democratic)
being lefeate 1 by the lisaftection of some 3 or 4 of their own party would not
abandon their nominee and there was no election that session and in the next the
whigs had the majority and elected Porter
The Judge an 1 myself entered into partnership in 1840 — which continued until
he was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court — the judges of (he Circuit Court then
constituting the Supreme Court IS hilst in (bat Court lie tried the long intricate
and exciting case generally known as the Conspiracy Case (the burning of the
Michigan Central Kailroad Depot) The patience (and he was naturaJlv petulant anl
excitable) in 1 learning skill and courf eay displiyed bj I im on the trial and in h s
charge to the jury were commended bv all He was certainly one of the beat and
most upright judges thit ever sat on the Bench
He studied his profession (jerhaps lartly) with William Woodbridge (ifter
wards Go\ and Senator) in Detroit and was his great favorite He was at a Mass
Law School (I th nk Northampton but I mai be in error) — and well acquainted
there with Get Franklin Pierce — who always spoke well of him Austin E Wing
was a collegiate but I believe Warner «as not yet the latter wis a fine scholar
Being for a long time on the Bench his life was rather quiet and he sellom
ged in politics or auifered his name to be mentioned therein He was always
a firm a Iherent of democratic prinaples but not a partisan He was as h nest in
his politics as he was in his morals and religion There are few of the old residents
better known r more distinguiahed He was most in lustnous and indefatigable
and a more faitl f ul ciutious in 1 rel able protessionaJ man hardlj exists
Always lively, joyous full of fun and fon i of jokes be was high tone 1 chi\ al
rously gallant and never wis even charged (to my knowledge) with an>thinj, mean
or improper
For many years indeed since the early part of 1853 we have been separate!
and because of our different pursuits have not had much intercourse -\et I as
well as all his old friends will feel his loss and regret that by his peculiar modesty
and hatred to notoriety he has been of less service to hia fellow citizens than he
should have been If he had d ne as manv othera of far inferior ability haie done
the people woull as I shall mourn his leniise is thit t a great and go^d man
In haste lours trih
R Mr( I EI AVD
"To John M. Bulkey, Esq., secy, etc."
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 259
Hon. Warner Wing
Warner Wing was born in Marietta, Ohio, September 19, 1805. Ilia
father's name was Enoch Wing and his mother's maiden name was Mary
Oliver. On his father's side he was descended from one of the old New
England families. His father's grandfather, John Wing, was one of the
two brothers of Welch extraction, who came from England at a very early
day, and with their families were among the first settlers of New Eng-
land. Judge AVing's grandfather, also named John, settled in Conway,
Massachusetts, where he had seven sons, the names of some of whom
were : Peter, Isaiah, Eli, Enoch — ' ' good old Bible and Puritan names, ' '
as Judge Wing noted on a scrap of paper which he has left.
In 1817, at the age of twelve years, Judge Wing came to Detroit and
remained some years. About the year 1828 removed to Monroe, where
he continued to reside up to the time of his death. He attended a law
school at Northampton, Massachusetts, for a time, and also studied in the
office of Judge William Woodbridge of Detroit. As early as 1833 he was
practicing law in partnership with Hon. David A. Noble in Monroe.
He was elected to the state senate and served in 1838 and 1839, where
he is spoken of by one of his lifelong associates as "one of the foremost
of the legislature." In 1840 he entered into partnership with ex-Gover-
nor Robert McClelland, with whom he practiced until be went upon the
bench of the circuit court in 1845 — the judges of the circuit court con-
stituting the supreme court of the state as then organized. In 1851 he
was elected chief justice, which position he held until 1856, when he
resigned. After this time he acted as general counsel for the Lake Shore
and Michigan Southern Railroad up to the time of his death, which oc-
curred at Monroe, March 12, 1876. The funeral services were held at
the Presbyterian church in Monroe, of which he was a member, con-
ducted by the Doctors Mattoon, Putnam and Boyd. The funeral was
very largely attended by the bar of Monroe county, as well as members
of the bar of Lenawee, Hillsdale and Washtenaw counties, also members
of the bar from Detroit, Cleveland and Toledo.
One of the most notable cases that came before Judge Wing judic-
ially was the trial of the long, intricate, exciting case known as the
railroad conspiracy case (for the burning of the Michigan Central depot).
Hon. David Addison Noble
son of Deodatus Noble, was born in Williamatown, Massachusetts, Novem-
ber 9, 1802, and died in Monroe, Michigan, October 13, 1876. He was
fitted for college in the school of Parson Moses Hallock in Plainfield,
Massachusetts, and entered Williams College in 1821, from which institu-
tion he graduated with honors in 1825. In college he was a good scholar,
distinguished for accuracy and soundness rather than for fluent recita-
tions. In September, 1825, he entered the law office of Hermanns Blecker
in Albany, New York, remaining there until the winter of 1826, when
he went to Hudson, New York, where he entered upon his literary work
as assistant editor of the Cohimbiad. In the following year he moved
to New York, entered the law office of Benjamin Clark on Franklin
Square, at the same time gave lessons in French in Bancell's academy.
He was a fine Greek and Latin scholar, and during the winter was en-
gaged in correcting the publisher's proof-sheets for a Greek work. He
subsequently opened a law office with David Logan at No. 4 Pine street.
He was in the practice of his profession about two years in New York
nnd for a short time was in partnership with lion. Charles O'Connor.
In 1831 he removed to Monroe, Michigan, where he resided the re-
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260 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
mainder of his life. He here opened a law office with Hon. Warner AVing.
He was an accomplished French scholar, which was of great advantage
to him with the French population. It was as a counselor that Mr. Noble
was chiefly distinguished, his thoroughly disciplined mind, his habits of
patient research and his superior judgment peculiarly qufdifying him to
arrive at correct legal conclusions. He was elected recorder of the city
in 1833, and white acting in this capacity drew up the city charter. Was
twice elected alderman and in 1842 mayor of the city. In 1845 Mr.
Noble was chosen to represent his county in the legislature, which he did
with ability and to the satisfaction of his constituents. On November 10,
1846, Mr. Noble secured the charter of the Michigan Southern Railroad.
In 1847 he was appointed a member of the harbor and river convention
at Chicago. Subsequently he was appointed one of the committee of live
to carry out the wishes of the convention, at which time he wrote a full
statistical report of the commerce of the lakes. In 1852 Mr. Noble was
elected to Congress from the Second district. In 1858 he was appointed
manager of the Louisville, New Albany and Ciiieago Railroad, which
position he held four years.
Hon. Wolcott Laweence
was born in one »f the towns adjoining Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on the
first day of November, in the year 1786. He was married to Caroline
Stebbins of Springiield, in the same state, November 26, 1816. In early
life he availed himself of the advantages of education afforded in the
rural district where he was bom and without the advantages of a college
education became eventually, by close application to study, an excep-
tionally well-informed and indeed a well-educated man. He applied him-
self to the study of the law in the office of one of the most eminent of the
profession in Pittsfield, and for a time practiced his profession in that
place. In the meantime the new country of the northwest had begun to
attract the attention of the enterprising young men of the New England
states and many were preparing to seek their fortunes in the new land of
promise. Mr. Lawrence was one of these and* in accordance with a
previous understanding between himself and his affianced, almost imme-
diately after their marriage they came to Michigan and established their
home on the River Raisin at Monroe. Here in December, 1817, their first
child, Lucretia Williams, afterwards the wife of Alpheus Pelch, was
bom. The inhabitants on the River Raisin at that time were ehiefiy
French and the daughter above mentioned was the first child of American
parents born among theni. The old French settlers were accustomed to
tell of the enthusiasm with which the newcomfer was received by them.
The warm-hearted French mothers and daughters greeted her with gush-
ing tokens of the most ardent love and affection. Tradition tells that
they were accustomed to borrow the "Yankee child" from house to
house that they might in turn welcome her with their caresses and love.
Although a lawyer by profession, tlie sparse population and meager
business afl'airs of the settlement on the Raisin afforded him at first little
opportunity for professional practice. American settlers, however;
rapidly flowed in, and they brought with them the means and the enter-
prise which soon changed the business character of the place, and filled
the region with an active, intelligent and prosperous population. Courts
were established and clients were not wanting. He continued to practice
law for many years, but he gradually withdrew from it, devoting his
time and attention to mercantile and lumber business and io the care of
his real estate.
His settlement here was in the days of territorial government of
Michigan, and when by act of Congress the legislative council of the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 261
territory of Michigan was established, whose members were chosen by
popular vote, he was elected a member and he took his seat in that body
June 7, 1824 ; and by the repeated suffrages of his constituents he con-
tinued a member of the council until 1831. During all this time he was
chairman of the judiciary committee and one of the most active and
influential members of that branch of the local government. In 1836,
after the organization of the state government, he was elected one of the
associate justices of the circuit court for the county of Monroe, and he
continued to occupy that position until 1839, when, by a change in the
judiciary system of the state, the office was abolished.
Judge Lawrence died at Monroe, April 29, 1843.
Hon. Jefferson G. Thueber
One of the prominent members of the bar of Monroe county was
Jefferson (i. Thurber, who resided in Monroe for twenty-four years, up
to the time of his death, which occurred on May 5, 1858. Mr. Thurber
was a native of New Hampshire, born in the village of Unity in the year
1807, received his education at the Academy of Canandaigua, New York,
taught school and studied law during his young manhood, and in 1833
came to Monroe and opened a law oiRce on Washington street and en-
tered actively into the practice of his profession and into the political
affairs of his city and state. He filled several offices of importance and
always with perfect satisfaction to his constituency; prosecuting attor-
ney of the county, judge of probate, and in 1852 was chosen speaker of
the house of representatives of which he was elected in that year. He
also served one term in the state senate. Mr. Thurber was a very genial,
companionable man, possessing qualities which gain friends among all
classes, and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens,
The Monroe county bar took appropriate action at the time of his
death and adopted the following resolutions.
At a meeting of the bar held at the court house in the city of Monroe
on the seventh day of May, 1857, the meeting was called to order by the
president of the bar, Hon. D. A. Noble, and the following preamble and
resolutions, reported by a committee appointed for that purpose, were
unanimously adopted :
"When amid the busy and active scenes of life the announcement is
made that death has removed from our midst one who has daily mingled
with us in its pleasures and its conflicts, participated with us in the dis-
couragement, the struggles and the high expectations of professional
life, and shared in its hopes and successes, we feel that sense of bereave-
ment which finds a necessity for consolation, as well in the brightened
memoirs of that association and companionship that forever sunders, as
in the brighter hopes of that future which none but the dead can realize.
And we feel that it is not all of death to die; to the living, pleasant
memories, dear associations and sustaining faith survive; to the dead,
the realization of that hope which cheers the dying hour and throws its
gilded ray across the tomb, is consummated. And we recognize the truth
of this sentiment in the decease of our friend and associate, the Hon,
Jefferson G. Thurber.
"Resolved, That by the death of Mr. Thurber the bar has sustained the
loss of one of its members alike endeared to it by his uniform courtesy
and kindness, and respected for the ability and integrity with which he
fulfilled its high duties. That society has lost a member, always ready to
give his best exertions for its welfare and advancement, and one who, in
the responsible positions of district attorney, judge of probate and repre-
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^=62 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
sentative and senator in the halls of our state legislature, always dis-
charged his duty with ability and fidelity to the trust reposed in him,
"Resolved, That we tender our strongest sympathy to his bereaved
wife and family, and assure her and them that we would not obtrude
upon the privacy of their own grief any but the kind and sincere expres-
sion of our own sorrow and of deep sympathy in their severe affliction,
"Resolved, That as a testimony of high regard of the character of the
deceased and of respect to his memory the members of the bar will attend
his funeral in a body and wear the usual badge of mourning for the cus-
tomary period of time.
"Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the
National Press and the Monroe Commercial, and that a copy of the same,
signed by its officers, be presented to his widow and family.
"D. A. Noble, President.
"T. Babcock, Secretary."
James Q. Adams
was a typical western pioneer lawyer, who came to Monroe in the early
days of the territory and entered actively into the stirring scenes of the
settlement of this section of the country. He was a native of Keene, New
Hampshire, where he was born in 1798, and graduated from Dartmouth
College and studied law with the leading lawyer of the place, and also
upon his arrival at Monroe, finally being admitted to the bar and soon
after joined Hon. Robert McClelland, who had already opened a law
ofifice in Monroe. Was elected prosecuting attorney of Monroe county.
For years he held the office of postmaster of the city of Monroe. He
was president of the corporation that constructed and equipped the rail-
road from Monroe to LaPlaisanee and was also president of the Rive*
Raisin and LaPlaisanee Bay Railroad Bank. He was a shrewd and suc'
eessful practitioner. He died in New York City, aged sixty-seven.
GOUVERNEUR MORRIS
was, at the time of his death, the oldest member of the Monroe county
bar, having reached the age of more than four score years. He was born
in Springfield, Windsor county, Vermont, February 1, 1809. He was
grand-nephew of that other Gouverneur Morris, for whom he was named,
who was a member of the convention which framed the Federal consti-
tution and was one of the committee appointed to make the final revision
of that instrument. The committee placed it in his hands and it is
generally believed that in its language and arrangement is the work of
this eminent man. He died in 1818, Gen. Lewis Morris, the father of
the subject of this sketch, was a son of Richard Morris, who was once
chief justice of the state of New York, a soldier of the revolution at
seventeen years of age, and was later on the staflf of General Schuyler,
Gouverneur Morris came to Michigan in 1840 with his wife, who was
Frances V. Hunt, of Vermont. They settled at Brest, Monroe county,
which at the time was a stirring village and in the optimistic views of its
aspiring citizens was destined to become a large and prosperous city;
these dreams failing to be realized, he with others turned their attention
to farming. In 1855 he removed to the city of Monroe and continued
to reside there until his death. He was elected to the office of county
treasurer in 1860. Upon the expiration of his term of office he formed a
co-partnership with Roderick 0 'Connor, a prominent merchant engaged
in the dry goods business ; he retained his interest in this line of mer-
cantile life while he still practiced law, and entered actively into poli-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 263
tics. Mr. Morris held various county and city offices, among them super-
visor, city treasurer, county treasurer, circuit court commissioner, judge
of probate and circuit judge for the first term of the twenty-second ju-
dicial circuit, composed of Monroe and Washtenaw counties. Judge Mor-
ris was afflicted with an impediment of speech which was a serious handi-
cap to- his practice in jury trials, but every consideration was given him
by his associates of the bar,
Talcott E. Wing
of Monroe was born in Detroit, Michigan, September 24, 1819. His
father, Austin E. Wing, was a graduate of Williams College, Williams-
town, Massachusetts, in 1814, and moved from Detroit to Monroe in 1829
witli his family. He was one of the first sheriffs of Wayne county and
was for three terms delegate to Congress from the territory of Michigan.
Subsequently he was regent of the University of Michigan, and in 1842
was a member of the state legislature, afterwards holding the oifice of
United States marshal. He died at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1849. He was
a public-spirited man, identifying himself with all public enterprises of
importance. He was prominently connected with the temperance move-
ment, being president of the first state temperance society. His wife,
the mother of Talcott E. Wing, was Harriet Skinner, daughter of Benja-
min Skinner, Esq., of Williamstown, Massachusetts. Talcott E. attended
the old academy on Bates street, Detroit, until the family removed to
Monroe, when lie continued his education under the Rev. John 0 'Brien
and Rev. Samuel Center, principal of the Monroe branch of the State
University. He entered in 1836 Knox College, Gambler, Ohio. The
following year he went to Williams College at Williamsto\ifn, Massachu-
setts, from which he graduated in 1840. Returning to Monroe he entered
the law office of his uncle, Wqrner Wing, afterwards associate justice of
the supreme court, who was at that time practicing law in partnership
with the Hon. Robert McClelland. He was admitted to practice in 1844.
In 1849 he formed a copartnership with Ira R. Grosvenor for the practice
of law, which continued for eight years. He was elected judge of pro-
bate in 1864 and re-elected to that office in 1868, since the expiration
of the last term continuing his practice, although not an active member
of the bar. He has held a number of minor local offices and was instru-
mental in organizing the union school at Monroe, of which he was a trus-
tee for a number of years, and since 1844 he has held the office of United
States circuit court commissioner. Organizing the banking firm of
Wing & Johnson, he retained an interest in it until 1864, when it was
merged with the First National Bank of Monroe, of which he has been
president and cashier. He was elected an officer of the State Historical
Society in 1882, and at its meeting held at Ijansing June 2, 1887, was
made president of the society and was re-elected to that office in 1888.
For forty years Mr. Wing was a member of the Presbyterian church
of Monroe, being one of the board of trustees, and was in 1886 elected
and ordained an elder of the chureh. He was instrumental in estab-
lishing Sunday schools in the county, and took an active part in teach-
ing and superintending them. He was married in 1844 to Elizabeth P.
Johnson, daughter of Colonel Oliver Johnson of Monroe, the fruits of
that marriage being four children, three sons and one daughter. The
eldest, Talcott J. Wing, was a merchant at Westfleld, Massachusetts.
Charles R. Wing, the second son, is a lawyer of Monroe and Austin E.
Wing is cashier of the Peoples State Bank of Detroit. The daughter is
the widow of James Little, residing in Monroe. He was again married
in 1859 to Elizabeth Thurber, daughter of Jeiferson G. Thurber, by whom
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264 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
he has one son, Jefferson T. Wing, who is engaged in business in Detroit.
In 1886 Mr. Wing entered into an agreement with a firm of pub-
lishers to write a history of the city and county of Monroe, which was
completed four years later, only a few days before his death, which oc-
curred at his residence on Ehn avenue on January 25, 1890, after an
illness of but a few hours.
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CHAPTER XXI
GEOLOGY OF MONROE COUNTY
Earliest Inhabitant— Prehistoric Remains Near Big Peaibie —
Scientific Study of Limestones— Work of State Survey — Roads
AND Road Metal — Stone and Stone Crushing — The Woolwith
QUAKEIES RAISINVILLE QUARBIES IDA QuARRIES LiTTLE LiNK
Quarry — Ottawa Lake Quarries— Newport Quarries — The
Frenchtown QuABRiES^ — TiiE Stone Business of Monroe — Monroe
Stone Company— Monroe Quarries — -LaSalle Quarries— Bedford
Quarries— "Whitbford Quarries.
"The earliest inhabitant, of whom we have any traces in southeastern
Michigan," says Prof. "W. H. Shuzer of the Geological Survey of Michi-
gan, in his Geolc^ical Report on Monroe county, "was the so-called
'Mound Builder.' " The tendency comparatively of recent investigations
of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys is to destroy, more and more, the gap
between our historic, eastern Indian and the mound building type of
savage, who depended more upon the soil for his subsistence and defense.
It must be admitted, however, that he was intellectually the superior of
the Indians who dispossessed him of his fertile fields, and drove him,
probably south westward. He cultivated the soil extensively, wove cloth,
burned pottery, manufactured a superior stone implement and worked
our copper mines for the red metal. For purposes of burial and sacrifice,
and apparently for use as signal stations, from which messages could be
flashed across the country, after approved modem methods, he con-
structed hemispherical and conical mounds of loose earth. Although no
mounds or fortifications are known to exist within the limits of this
county, the characteristic implements are here found and it is certain that
this interesting type of savage man roamed its forests, drank from its
clear springs, and navigated its waterways. Neighboring localities have
been found to contain unmistakable evidences of this, in semi-circular
structures, where Toledo now stands, which were described by G. K. Gil-
bert in the Geological Survey of Ohio, in 1873 ; others along the Detroit
and St. Clair rivers were explored over thirty years ago by Henry Oil-
man, and described in publications of the Smithsonian Institute, and of
the Michigan Pioneer Society. At favorably located points fortitieations
were constructed, sometimes of great magnitude and displaying a sur-
prising degree of military skill and testifying to the patience and skill
of these people. History opens with tribes of the great Algonquin nation
in possession of this region ; the Ottawas, Chippewas and the Pottawat-
omies. The Wyandotts, or Hurons of the French, originally dwelt upon
the St. Lawrence, and are believed to have their descent from the powerful
Iroquois, by whom they were driven westward to Michigan and continu-
ally persecuted by them — at one time, almost annihilated.
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266 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Prehistoric Remains Near Big Prairie
In 1875 as laborers were making excavations near Big Prairie, Monroe
county, they eame upon a i|uantity of bones which formed the skeleton
of a mastodon; they were removed to Monroe and measurements taken;
one of the tusks was eleven feet in length, and nine inches in diameter
of its smallest extremity, where the tapering portion was broken off.
Several teeth were found in a fair state of preservation, many of which
measured six and eight inches in diameter, and weighing Ave pounds each.
One of the ribs was nearly eight feet in length. Owing to the inflow of
water into the excavation the laborers were unable to further prosecute
their work. It was intended to procure pumps to free the excavation from
water, and continue the search for the remainder of the skeleton. Not
far from this place stone hammers and arrow heads were unearthed, and
other evidences of ancient human occupation.
Scientific Study of Limestones
The scientific study of the limestones about the western end of Lake
Erie, was begun almost simultaneously in 1837, by the Michigan Geolog-
ical Surveys, under the direction of Lieutenant W. W. Mather and Dr.
Douglas Houghton. Previous to this time many outcrops of these beds
had been located by the early settlers and shallow quarries opened from
which were obtained building stone and material for lime. The outcrop
of the Sylvania sand-rock, north of the River Raisin in Monroe county
was known to the emigrants from the east, and samples of it had been
successfully treated for a high grade glass. The presence of brine in these
limestones, and in the overlying drift had been discovered by the Indians
and early settlers, and salt was crudely manufactured at a few localities.
"Salt licks" existed in numerous parte of the county, which were fre-
quented by deer and other animals who resorted to them for their delecta-
tion. These were salt springs of small area, but furnishing sufficient brine,
which, overflowing and evaporating deposited a moderate amount of salt,
a very welcome discovery both to the animals and the Indians. The lat-
ter, when they discovered this valuable commodity and later, the pioneer
settlers also, made use of it in curing their meats instead of resorting
to the simple drying and smoking process, to preserve them in quantities
for future use as needed, when it was called "jerked" meat. In his first
geological report, dated January 22, Doctor Houghton describes the lime-
stones in this vicinity, under the heading "Grey Limestones," which he
traced, in outcrop, from the rapids of the Maumee to the River Raisin,
and referred to them as being, in his opinion, the "Mountain (Carbon-
iferous) limestone of European geologists." He did not separate the
dolomitic limestones of the eastern part of this belt, from the purer and
geologically younger limestones of the western part of the belt.
No attempt was made thus early to ascertain the approximate age of
either belt by means of the fossils. The strata were found to dip towards
the northwest, or northwest by north, and the dip was stated to equal
about 5°. The amount of this dip was afterwards reduced to fifteen feet
to the mile, with a variation of ten to twenty feet. The mineral contents
of the beds and their occasional oolitic and veined character were noted.
Further studies by Hubbard led him to conclude that these limestones
lie beneath the ' ' black strata, ' ' now known as the Antrim, or upper divi-
sion of the Devonian, and above the Cincinnati blue limestones and shales,
the Cincinnatian division of the Ordovician, and that they are the geo-
logical equivalent of the so-called ' ' Cliif limestone ; " the Clinton, Niagara
and Onondaga of Indiana and Ohio.
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268 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
A geological reeonnaissanee of the rock strata of northwestern Ohio
had been made by Dr. J. L. Riddell, who was one of the special committee
commissioned by the Ohio legislature to report upon a method of obtain-
ing a complete geological survey of that state. His report bears date of
January 12, 1837, and alludes to the calcareous sandstones and the lime-
stones of the Maumce valley. The more detailed study of the region
was assigned to assistant geologist Prof. C. Briggs, Jr., the work being
done during the season of 1838 and reported upon briefly in the Second
Annual Report of the Geological Survey of Ohio, 1838, p. 109. The
limestones in the bed of the Maumee river, for several mile^ above Perrys-
burg, were examined, and their silicious nature and passage into a cal-
eiferous sandrock were noted. The location of a number of outcrops and
quarries in Wood county is given, based upon his own observations and
those of the county surveyor. A mention is made of marble, this probably
being the streaked and mottled dolomite known in Monroe county, Michi-
gan, to the north.
Work of State Survey
A serious loss was sustained by the state, in the exploration and sur-
veys of its geological formations, and in bringing into prominent place its
wealth of resources by the death of Dr. Douglas Houghton, a very emi-
nent scientist, who was drowned in Lake Superior October 13, 1845. With
his passing, also passed all further geological work in this part of the
state, until the second geological survey was made in 1859 by Dr. Alex-
ander Winchell. In the meantime new outcrops had been discovered,
new quarries opened and old ones deepened. Dr. Winchell began his
field work in May, 1859, with a re-examination of Monroe county, assisted
by two of his students, A. D. "White and Lewis Spalding. The first
biennial report, published in 1861, contained the results of this field work,
pages 58-68. The work of the survey was interrupted in 1861, by the
War of the Rebellion, and was not resumed until 1869, when Dr. Win-
chell occupied the chair of state geologist. In 1873, Dr. Carl Rom-
inger began his examination of the rocks of the lower peninsula, making
a careful study, in detail of all the beds and their fossil contents. Some
errors occurred in his conclusions, and deductions. The Sylvania sand-
stone he gives as having a thickness of but eight to ten feet, and following
the earlier reports of the Ohio Survey, regards it as probably the equiva-
lent of the Genessee to which he refers the entire series, which is widely
divergent from subsequent surveys and disclosures.
A still more serious error was made in bringing the base of the Upper
Helderberg down to the top of the Sylvania sandstone, based upon the
lower percentage of magnesia in these beds. The quarries at Ottawa
Lake, Little Sink, Lulu, Ida, Raisinville, Woolwith and Flat Rock are all
in beds above the Sylvania, and still contain practically enough magnesia
for normal dolomite. Dr. Rominger does not admit the occurrence of
the Hamilton (Traverse) in this portion of the state, on the ground that
the thickness of five hundred feet at Alpena thins out completely before
reaching the southern boundary. It is established, however that the
Hamilton (Traverse) is well represented beneath its heavy mantle of
drift in the northwestern corner of the county.
Roads and Road JIetal
The nature of the soil and the flat slopes, conspire to give Monroe
county exceptionally poor roads. In certain sections, the roads are prac-
tically impassable for any kind of conveyance, especially transporting
heavy loads, for several weeks of the year. There are no available deposits
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 269
of gravel in the county, such as occur in Lenawee and Washtenaw
counties, but nature has given Monroe inexhaustible supplies of better
road metal, and distributed it so that it is fairly accessible from all parts
of the county. When the dolomites and limestones are crushed and
spread over a road bed, which is properly drained the surfaces of the
stone become firmly welded and a very solid foundation results. With a
system of hard roads it would seem that much of the necessary farm
teaming might be done when the clay soils adjoining are not fit for cul-
tivation, and thus the time of the farmers, of their help and teams, could
be disposed to better advantage. It has been demonstrated that three
tons may be drawn upon a good road, with greater ease and less expense
than one ton upon a poor road. A short time ago some ten thousand
representative farmers from all parts of the country were called upon to
furnish estimates as to the cost per mile, for hauling one ton of produce
to market. The replies from these established the average cost for the
entire country was twenty-five cents, while in certain sections of New
Jersey where the roads have been improved by a system of state and
county aid, the average was about eight cents, showing a saving of fifteen
to seventeen cents to the mile, for each ton of produce. The subject of
good roads, is now receiving wide spread and intelligent consideration,
and a "campaign of education" bids fair to put before the farmers oE
the country the economic advantages enjoyable by those who reap the
benefits of this twentieth century good roads movement.
The bed of Sylvania sandstone, which though it has no value for
building purposes, has a quality far more important. The chief use of
this remarkably pure bed is for the manufacture of glass, for which
its fine even grain and purity perfectly adapt it. It had been tested for
this purpose before Michigan became a state, and attention was called to
it by Hubbard, Winchell and Rominger, in their state reports. The
outcrop was originally preempted from the government, by Colonel
Thomas Caldwell, a British officer, and held by him and his heirs for
many years. From 1860 until 1873, the pits were actively operated by
Mr. Charles Toll, of Monroe, the sand being washed, sifted and shipped
to Bridgeport, Bellaire and Benwood, Ohio; to Pittsburg, Wheeling.
Rochester, Syracuse and other cities of the United States and also to
Hamilton, Ontario. These sand pits were located some seven miles from
shipping points at that time, and the sand was hauled by team which so
greatly increased the cost of preparation for market that it was finally
unable to compete with beds more favorably located. The sand melts
rapidly, mixing intimately with the fusible bases. Mr. Toll leased his
land and mineral rights to the Michigan White Sand Company, whose
headquarters were at Maybee, Michigan.
Stone and Stone Crushing
It was a saying of Emerson that no science is sublime until it touches
man. Geology commands our attention where the thread of earth history
begins to blend with the warp of human industry. So the study of
geology in Monroe county begins to interest us when it concerns itself
with the business industries, as is the ease with the other natural re-
sources in the commercial life of the community. This leads directly to
the quarries of the county in this epoch of "good roads building" and
the betterment of public highways.
We may start in along these lines, with the Macon Quarry, which has
long been known as the "Christiancy quarry" from the early owner,
Hon. Isaac P. Christiancy formerly a prominent and well known resident
of Monroe. It is located in the former bed of the Macon river, from
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
which the water was deflected by an embankment and extends along the
stream for about thirty rods, with a main excavation of four hundred
and fifty by two hundred feet. This was ten years ago, the most promis-
ing locality in the county, for high grade limestones, since the same beds
are here exposed as at the now famous Sibley quarry near Trenton, The
quarry lies northeast of Dundee, one eighth of a mile from the line of the
Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad. The nearness of the Maeon in-
terferes now with the quarrying of the deeper and heavier beds, but
with an extension of the quarry northward, in which direction the strip-
ping increased only slowly, the annoyance caused from water would be
diminished. Four beds are to be recognized in the quarry which can be
designated as A, B, C and D, in descending order. Bed A, the uppermost,
consists of a rich gray limestone from one to three feet in thickness
abounding in fossils. The limestone is relatively soft, glistens with
cleavage faces of calcite, and is thin bedded and more or less shattered.
In the eastern portion of the quarry, the top ledge of this bed has an
elevation of about 660 feet above sea level. The second, or bed B, has a
thickness of 4 to 4V2 feet, and in places is free from seams ; in other
parts of the quarry it is divided into thick beds. The rock is a compact,
brownish limestone which assumes a bluish gray color on weathered sur-
faces. Fossils large enough to be seen with the naked eye are not as abun-
dant as in the overlying bed and the cleavage faces are smaller. The rock
gives a strong bituminous odor and drops of oil are occasionally seen in
fresh specimens. With dilute hydrochloric acid a brisk effervescence is
always obtained when the cold acid is applied to the solid rock. Toward
the bottom the bed becomes somewhat cherty and in places there is
interposed between this bed and the underlying bed C a seam of impure
chert, varying in thickness from one to two inches. At the same horizon
there is also to be seen in places a one-inch seam of blue clay, more or less
charged with sand. The main excavation of the quarry has taken place
in these two beds but two deeper ones have been penetrated and their
characteristics determined. Bed C has a thickness of seven to eight feet,
is a soft limestone of a dark gray color, either without seam or very
heavily bedded. Beneath this lies a somewhat similar eight-foot bed,
which the analysis shows is richer in calcium carbonate. The following
table shows the chemical composition of these four beds, as determined
by Mr. G. A. Kircbmeier, of Toledo.
Bed A, Bed B. Bed C. Bed D.
Calcium carbonate
Magnesium carbonate
Silica
Iron
Oi^nic matter
Difference
100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Mr. K. J. Sundstroni, of Trenton, General Manager of the Sibley
quarry and chemist for Church and Company, analyzed specimens of
the two upper beds with the following results:
Bed A. Bed B.
Calcium carbonate 98.10% 86,96%
Magnesium carbonate .63 10 . 08
Silica 70 1,86
Iron oxide and alumina ,62
90.80%
86.80%
77.60%
96.00%
6.87
11.60
17.41
3.86
.48
1.10
2.78
.81
.16
.12
.56
.41
1.69
1.63
.00
.38
.02
— .08
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
Sulphur ..
Difference .
100.00% 100.00%
From a careful study of the beds of the Sibley quarry it has seemed
reasonably certain that the Macon beds are the equivalent of the deeper
and better beds of that quarry. The analysis of the cores from the two
test holes in the Sibley shows that their wonderful "nine foot bed" is
from forty to fifty feet above the base of the series. The record of
the Nogard well shows at a depth of fifty-nine feet, a change from gray
to buff limestone which probably marks the change from limestone to
dolomite. If this is the correct interpretation, and there is much eon-
flrmatory evidence, bed D of the Macon quarry extends from thirty-eight
to forty-six feet above the base of the Dundee formation. The actual dif-
ference in elevation between the top ledges of bed D and the "nine foot
bed" is eighteen feet, this representing the amount of drop towards
Trenton in the direction of the strike.
Dundee Quabky
This consists of a rectangular excavation about 240 by 90 feet, upon
the north hank of the Raisin, just back of the National Hotel in the vil-
lage of Dundee. It is but a few feet from the water's edge, and as it is
worked only in the late fall, was full of water at the time of each of
several visits. Most of the information concerning the beds was obtained
from Mr. Horace Pulver, supplemented with a study of the blocks of stone
piled about the quarry. The uppermost, or layer A, is two and one-
half feet thick and consists of a rich, gray limestone, impregnated with
oil and full of fossils. Fresh specimens are somewhat darker in color
than those from bed A on the Macon, which it otherwise much resembles.
Bed B is four and one-half feet thick and consists of a grayish brown
limestone which gives a bluish effect on weathering. It shows but few
fossils and is apparently identical with bed B on the Macon. The upper
fifteen inches is said to be irregularly clouded and "gnarled." A third
bed has been penetrated and found to be six and one-half feet thick. It
is dark brown and bituminous and in the lower twelve to fifteen inches
becomes cherty. Beneath this occurs a discontinuous seam of chert, car-
rying silicified fossils. It is of light gray color, with brown streaks and
is impregnated with black oil. It is very probable that this chert marks
the same horizon as the similar seam in the Macon quarry and hence
that bed B there is the equivalent of bed C in this quarry. Beneath the
chert there occurs a heavily bedded five foot bluish layer, bed D, which
becomes lighter colored towards its base. All the limestone in the quarry
responds promptly to cold dilute acid upon the solid rock.
The Petersburg excavations have not received much attention — nor
opened up in this vicinity, so as to give a satisfactory rock exposure, but
stone has been removed from the bed of the River Raisin, and also from
its banks, in ditching. Mr. Jacob McCarthy from a long acquaintance
with this region is our authority for informbation on this quarry. In
front of Spatdings tlour mill upon the river bank just below the railroad
bridge, a ledge of pure gray limestone was struck at a depth of about
eight feet. According to Mr. McCarthy, considerable stone has been re-
moved from the river bed at this point, and used for foundation walks
in the village. Immediately below the dam the fall of water has cleared
out a hole, laying bare the rock at a depth of fourteen feet below low
water mark. This rock is blue streaked limestone similar to that found
in the Lulu quarry.
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27^ HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
The Woolmith Quarries
These are located in Exeter towiiship about half way between Maybee
and Seofield. The chief of these is owned by the Michigan Stone and
Supply Company. A branch of the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton railroad
enters the property and furnishes the necessary shipping facilities. A
quadrelateral opening was made about Ave hundred by three hundred
feet and to a depth of forty-five feet. A large crusher is operated in con-
nection with this quarry along with six gangs and one double gang of
saws. The stripping consists of two to eight feet of blue boulder clay.
This increases in thickness rapidly towards the east, south and west, but
less rapidly towards the north. Nine different beds more or less distinct
from each other can be recognized, the direction of their dip is approx-
imately W. 25° S. and the amount two to three degrees. This is entirely
local, the beds here being pushed upward into a knoll similar to that seen
in the Sibley quarry. The upper surface is smoothed polished and striated.
Where most weathered the rock becomes somewhat soft, mealy and gritty
in texture. In places it is porous and cavernous owing to the dissolving
action of the surface water and sink holes of considerable size were dis-
covered when the stripping was first removed. Where nearest the sur-
face the individual layers are thin, but become thicker towards the
western part of the quarry. Its lower surface is rendered very irregular
by the hummocky nature of the upper surface of bed C. In conforming
to these large hummocks the bed becomes laminated, a character which it
does not elsewhere exhibit. Small cavities carry ceiestite, calcite and a
little native sulphur. Bed C may be traced entirely around the walls of
the quarry, varying from fourteen or fifteen inches to three feet in thick-
ness. It is a drab to brown dolomite, in places almost as homogeneous,
tough and compact as "lithographic stone," but in others it is open and
cavernous, the stone appearing soft and rotten. The large hummocks
above referred to may be several feet in diameter, and the rock compos-
ing them consists of fine concentric laminae, convex upward. Large
cavities contain ceiestite, calcite and sulphur and above and below the bed
there occurs a thin seam of impure asphaltum. The underlying bed D
is a dark brown to gray dolomite varying towards blue. It attains a thick-
ness of five feet but may be reduced to one foot where the bed D is cor-
respondingly increased. Its component layers are from two to eight
inches thick and are, in places, plainly laminated with streaks of blue,
gray or brown dolomite and delicate films of carbonaceous material. This
character is more pronounced and the heaviest bedding occurs in the
deepest, southwest corner of the quarry. Compared with the beds C and
E this one is much more compact and free from the mineral bearing
cavities, but it is more or less impregnated with oil. Locally it contains
multitudes of a minute Leperditia and a miniature Spirorbis. Beneath
this compact layer lies a much more open and cavernous one, bed E,
from one to three feet thick, known locally as the "sulphur bed," It is
a dark brown porous dolomite thoroughly impregnated with oil, giving
it a strong bituminous odor and filling it with black blotches. Casts and
moulds of simple corals, brachiopods and laraellibranchs are much more
abundant than in the adjoining beds. Numerous cavities, more or less
ellipsoidal in shape and in varying size from a fraction of an inch to
two or three feet, are found throughqut the bed. These cavities contain
beautiful crystallizations of calcite, ceiestite and sulphur, intermingled
in such a way as to indicate that they were simultaneously deposited
from percolating water.* Upon a level with this bed there escapes into
" Sherzer, Am. J. Sei., Vol. L, 1895, p. 216.
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274 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
the quarry a stream of water from which sulphiir is still being deposited ;
white, soft, and mealy looking at first but becoming yellowish upon ex-
posure. Portions of the bed are com^pact and furnish building stone of
a brown, bituminous character.
The five beds above described are essentially dolomitic limestones and
sharply separated from the underlying beds F, G, and H, which consist
of a mass of sand grains embedded in a dolomitic matrix. The uppermost,
or bed P, varies in thiclmess from two to three feet and from its blue
color it is one of the most conspicuous in the quarry. It has a gritty feel
and becomes almost a sandstone in certain layers. It is permeated with
vertical tiexures, sub-cylindrical channels about three millimeters in
diameter and several centimeters in length. These contain carbonaceous
matter and oil and probably mark the position of seaweeds about which
the sand and dolomitic slime accumulated. The channels are more abund-
ant in the upper part of the bed and occur sparingly in the lower part.
Near the top it becomes laminated with black, bituminous streaks. To-
wards the bottom the bed loses its blue color, becomes blotched with brown
and merges into bed G. These blotches and streaks of chocolate brown
fade out and we have a gray, highly siticious dolomite, from three to four
feet thick. This passes without break tato a beautiful sixteen-foot bed
(H) of light gray silicious dolomite, which is marketed as a "sandstone."
This is so solid and free from seam that immense blocks may be cut out
by ilieans of steam chisels. When broken, the rock gives a very coarse,
conehoidal fracture. Occasional "glass seams'' and dark streaks of
grains of iron oxide somewhat disfigure' the rock for building purposes.
The dilute acid gives but slight action upon the solid rock, hut upon the
powder the acid gives brisk eifervescence. Five grams of this powder
give 1.37 grams of insoluble residue, or 27.4%, consisting of some alumina,
with bituminous matter, but mostly of a white sand resembling that of
the Sylvania bed. Examined under the microscope these grains are found
to have been secondarily enlarged against the rhomhohedrons of dolomite,
giving them a roughened exterior and proving that the enlargement
took place after the formation of the bed. This series of silicious dolo-
mites has a thickness of 21 to 23 feet in this quarry. Beneath lies bed
I, a compact, even grained, gray dolomite heavily bedded. This has been
penetrated fifteen feet and found to rest upon the Sylvania sandstone.
Raisin VI LLE Quarries
A series of six quarries exist near the river in the township of Raisin-
ville, which owing to their location and the similarity in their strata
can he conveniently grouped for description. The largest and most im-
portant of the six is located upon claim 516 (North River Raisin) at
Grape, and consists of two main excavations, one upon either side of the
highway. This has been operated by Silas A. Kring for lime. The
stripping is reduced, in places, to but a few inches of clay charged with
irregular fragments of the shattered dolomitic beds. The rock is esti-
mated to dip two to three degrees toward a little south of west. Upon
the north side of the road the silicious dolomite forms the uppermost
ledge of the west quarry wall. It is of a bluish gray color gritty from
the numerous sand grains, with numerous small irregular cavities, many
of which are filled with calcite and give a spotted effect on the rock. The
main quarry rock consists of a compact dolomite, faintly glistening with
minute cleavage faces. It is thin bedded and much fissured toward the
top hut more heavily bedded, and more silicious towards the bottom.
Nodules of impure chert occur and lenticular masses several feet long and
five to six inches thick through the center. The following analysis was
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 275
reported to have been mado by J. D. Pennock, chemist for the Solvay
Company, Detroit:
Magnesium carbonate 45 . 01
Calciuiin carbonate 51 . 69
Silica 3 , 45
Iron oxide and alumina 20
Calcium sulphate 43
Difference —.78
100.00
Just west of the quarry, upon land belonging in 1900 to John Knaggs,
(claim 428, North River Raisin,) there is an outcrop of the same strata
upon the south side of the road. A quarry was opened at this place and
rock removed to a depth of twelve feet for building purposes. Not hav-
ing been operated for some time the small excavation is now filled with
debris and there are exposed only the protruding upper layers. Over a
considerable area about this outcrop rock can be struck with a three foot
probe. A quarry similar to that of Robinson and Taylor might be here
developed. Beneath each the Sylvania sandstone must be expected to
be reached very soon, so that neither could be extended to any depth with
a yield of dolomite. The main stratum of dolomite in these two quarries,
bed I of the Woolmith quarry and the bed found to overlie the Sylvania at
the Toll pits, arc apparently identical.
Directly south of these two quarries, upon the opposite side of the
river, Fritz Rath opened up two small quarries upon claim 685. The
most northern is located some 250 paces northeast of the residence and
consists of a rectangular opening, seventy by eighty-five feet. This was
worked for lime about twenty years ago, the quality of which was re-
ported to be good. At the time of the visit the quarry was filled with
water but numerous fragments of the rock were found scattered about.
These indicate that the beds are a dark brownish dolomite, streaked and
finely specked with a creamy white, looking very much like a very ob-
scure oolitic structure. Upon dissolving a Sake of the rock in acid there
is left behind a quantity of pure white rounded sand grains, varying con-
siderably in size. These are secondarily enlarged against the rhombohe-
drons of dolomite, and oolitic granules, as in the case of the Woolmith
rock previously described, giving their surface a very rough appearance.
Ida Quarries
One and one-half miles west of the village of Ida the rock strata
again appear at the surface owing to local flexures. Just where the
north and south quarter section line of See. 4 intersects the Adrian
branch of the Lake Shore railroad, three (juarries have been opened.
The principal one has been operated for lime and building stone for
many years by Nelson Davis. This is located to the south of the railroad
in a field of about eight acres, one mile east of the Ann Arbor railroad.
Superficial excavations have been made over a considerable portion of the
field. The beds have no perceptible dip within the limits of the quarry
and are drained by a small stream flowing southeastward. Mr. Davis
recognizes two separate beds which he terms the first and second forma-
tions respectively. The uppermost attains a maximum thickness of
seven to eight feet in the central portion of the quarry. Based upon
excavations about the quarry. Mr. Davis believes that this bed gives out
in each direction, from ten to fifteen rods north and east, about one-half
mile west, and before it reaches Lulu, two and one-half miles to the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 277
southwest. It consists of a light gray dolomite which in places assumes
a creamy white, owing to its partial or complete conversion into stron-
tium carbonate (strontianite ) . Near the middle of the quarry nearly a
foot of the dolomite has been so altered, giving a soft, mealy roek with
seams and films of tlie pure mineral. Some slabs are covered with a layer
of slender well formed, orthorhombic prisms of this strontianite. The
bedding is thin, varying from an inch, or less, to six or seven inches.
Near the surface of the bed certain slabs show a remarkable amount of
what may best be described as gashing. The roek looks as though, when
it was only very slightly plastic, it had been jabbed in every direction
with a thin bladed, double edged knife point. The gashes are almost al-
ways open, intersect one another irregularly and vary greatly in size,
some being two-thirds of an inch long, while others can scarcely be seen
without the magnifier. The cross section of eJich gash shows that it is
thickest at the center and that it slopes gradually and symetrieally to
a very thin edge. Traces of this peculiar structure are found throughout
the Monroe series, from the highest roek seen at Petersburg to the lowest
outcropping at Stony Point. It is not known what mineral could have
crystallized in the dolomitie matrix and left these openings by its re-
moval. One specimen from the Raisin bed shows them filled with ealcite,
but this may represent a secondary deposition. In his report of 1860,
Winehell refers to this as an aeieular structure and characteristic of
gypsum. Rominger used the term aeieular also in describing the Ida
rocks, and calls attention to the widespread character of the phenome-
non, but does not name the substance by which it may have been pro-
duced.
Underlying this bed is the so called "second formation," which is
well exposed in some of the deeper excavations of the quarry. This a
iirm dolomite, dark when damp, but drying to a light grey. The surface
of the bed is rough and irregular, and the upper three or four inches
porous and open, containing numerous moulds and casts of gasteropods,
bracheopods and corals. A silieious dolomite streaked with blue was
found to overlie the bed of white sandrock, struck in the Nichols well.
This latter appears to be six to seven feet thick, but contains much
dolomitie matrix and extends twenty-four to thirty feet of depth.
Little Sink Quarry
A small but interesting quarry lias been opened upon the eastern
edge of what is known as the "Little Sink," to he later described. The
excavation lies in the S. E. y^ S. E. 14 Sec. 2, Whiteford township, upon
land owned by Morris Cummins. Over an area of ten to fifteen acres the
roek lies very near the surface, so that the scanty soil is pi'actically unfit
for agricultural purposes. The rock in some places is entirely bare of
soil, while in others its thickness varies from one to two feet. Upon the
west side of the quarry there is practically no stripping, but this reaches
a thickness of one to one and one-half feet upon the eastern side. In
passing southwestward from Lulu the surface of the rock is depressed,
covered with a heavy belt of sand, and next reappears here at the sur-
face in consequence of having attained an elevation above sea level of
about six hundred and seventy feet. The f|uarry is nearly equi-distant
from the Ann Arbor Railroad and the Toledo-Adrian branch of the
Lake Shore railroads, being above five miles from each in a direct line.
In consequence the markets are entirely local, the demand being simply
for building stone. The present quarry was opened about thirty-flve
years ago, but previously stone had been superficially quarried for build-
s and for the manufacture of lime upon a small scale. The
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278 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
opening is in the form of an irregular quadrilateral about one hundred
by fifty feet, and the strata have been penetrated from nine to ten feet.
The water enters the crevices of the rocks through which it drains away
except in the early spring, when the entire region is liable to be flooded.
Two fairly distinct beds may be recognized which overlie a pure white
sand rock in which the grains are cemented by a dotomitic matrix. A
comparison of these beds with those previously described shows that they
are intermediate between the beds exposed in the Ida and Lulu quarries,
being indeed those penetrated by the drill in the Davis quarry before
the white sand rock was reached. The Lulu strata will then be exposed
here by going deeper. The uppermost bed is thin-bedded and varies in
thickness, within the limits of the quarry, from three to five and one-
half feet. Typically it is compact, tough, gray dolomite, showing a
rather bright greenish stain in places. Towards the surface it is fissured
and weathered considerably, showing a rusty iron coloration. The rock
is penetrated with numerous channels which seem to be the preserved
burrows of marine annelids. Fossils are abundant at certain levels. The
second bed is three and one-half feet thick and is 3 gray dolomite
streaked horizontally with blue, as seen in the Lulu quarry. In the up-
per foot of this bed these blue streaks are altered to a rusty brown,
suggesting that the blue coloration is due to some oxidizable compound
of iron. No fossils were observed in this bed except a faint trace of a
cephalopod. A few cavities occur in which are found crystallized masses
of calcite and strontianite. There also occur some peculiar stylolites
in the form of sub-cylindrical plugs, in diameter ranging from one and
one-half to eight inches and in length from one and one-half to seven
inches. They are set vertically in the strata with their upper ends on a
level with the surface of the rock. They separate quite readily from the
rock in which they are embedded and show the peculiar splintery surface,
which characterizes these structures. Occasionally one is seen which is
well defined above, but which gradually merges into the rock of the
stratum and its form disappears. The film of carbonaceous matter com-
monly present is here represented by an iron stain, or by the blue color-
ing matter with which the bed is streaked. These plugs have the same
composition as the surrounding rock and on being broken show no in-
ternal structure. The upper end of each is deeply concave and in every
one observed there is a small handful of angular chips of dolomite loosely
cemented together. The most plausible explanation seems to be that in
the general disturbance of the region the rubbing of the strata over one
another detached the small chips. Some of these collected in the cavities
at the upper ends of the stylolifie plugs and were preserved, while those
which remained between the strata were ground to powder. The struc-
tures themselves strongly suggest an organic origin, but are believed
to have been caused, in some unknown way, by pressure. A small sink
and quarry occur upon the place of Daniel Rabideu at the S. W. 14
N. "W. 14, Sec. 10. This lies about half way between the quarry just de-
scribed and those to be described in the nest paragraph. Only a small
amount of stone has been removed. It is a horizontally streaked dolo-
mite of a dark drab color, containing some minute calcite crystalliza-
tions.
Ottawa Lake Quarries
These are located near the head of the lake in the east central part
of Sec. 7 and the west central part of Sec. 8, Whiteford township. They
represent one nearly continuous irregular excavation, but lie upon the
adjoining properties of no less than half a dozen individuals. The gen-
eral nature of the rock and its peculiar structure, as found in various
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 279
locations in Monroe eounty previously noted, whieh with fuller descrip-
tions are believed to cover all the localities from which rock has been
quarried from the Monroe series above the Sylvania. The dolomites
found at Flat Rock, Gibralter and Grosse Isle belong to the same set
lying between the Sylvania sandstone and the Dundee formation exposed
at Trenton. An analysis of material obtained by a drill from these beds
has been procured and follows :
Calcium carbonate 55.03 per cent.
Magnesium carbonate 42.17 per cent.
Iron oxide and alumnia 48 per cent.
Silica and other insoluble residue 2.32 per cent
Following are brief descriptions of the quarries beloW the Sylvania
sandstone :
Newport Quarries
The fold in the dolomite layers which constitute the "ridge" passing
from Sylvania northeast to Stony Point has brought the rock very near
the surface in many places and a large number of small quarries have
been opened upon it. Following the strike of the beds very closely, as
does this fold, there is much sameness in the general appearance and
composition of the rock exposed in the numerous openings. Towards
the base of the Sylvania sandstone the dolomite becomes highly charged
with rather coarse sand grains, as seen in the Smith quarry west of
Newport, and in the rock removed from the bed of the Raisin. The
deeper beds are more homogeneous and compact, of a light or dark drab
color and are all true dolomites. Fossils in the form of moulds or easts
occur in many places and will be treated in the last chapter of this
report. The bed of oolite which has been previously traced and de-
scribed, happens to occupy the crest of the ridge for a long distance
and is much in evidence for a bed of such thickness. The most northern
openings in this series may be conveniently grouped as the Newport
quarries. The most important of these lies in the N. E. y^, S. E. 14,
Sec. 1, Berlin (T. 6 S., R. 9 E.) just south of the village of Newport
Center, upon the west side of the Michigan Central Railroad. The
quarry consists of a roughly rectangular opening about two hundred by
fifty feet. At the time of visit it was filled with water, so that its depth
and the beds represented could not be satisfactorily determined. The
rock is of a dark drab color, certain layers being charged with fossils,
but all the calcium carbonate has been dissolved. A small enisher was
operated for a time in connection with the quarry, but work has ceased
and the building and machinery have been removed. In the village of
Newport Center, from the Lake Shore Railroad bridge up Swan Creek
for a distance of a quarter to a third of a mile, rock is readily reached
in the stream and along the banks. Irregular openings have been made
upon the places of Cartwright and Braneheau and rock removed for
local building and construction work. Samples taken show that it is
of the same character as that above noted. One and a half miles west,
upon the land of Mrs. Lizzie Smith, there was opened about_ ten years
ago a rectangular quarry eighty by one hundred feet, developing a roek
not dissimilar to the average of Sylvania found in this part of the
county.
The PRENcnTOWN Quarries
The Freiichtown quarries lie in the southern part of this township
near Monroe, where the ridge changes its northeasterly course rather
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28(1 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
abruptly, swings around to the southeast and strikes Lake Erie at Stony
Point and Point aux Peaux, In its course across the township it fur-
nishes the sites for several quarries, the most northern of these being
the one upon claim 529, south of Swan creek, formerly belonging to Mr.
Sissung. There are said to be here one hundred and sixty acres of land
over which the stripping will not average more than twenty-eight inches
in thickness. The t|uarry was originally opened as an outcrop twenty-
five years ago. Good building atone is obtained for the local market.
Another larger opening lies upon the same claim to the southwest on
the place of Richard Labeau, covering two hundred and fifty by one
hundred and seventy-five feet. Following southwestward where Sand
Creek crosses the ridge for a distance of three-fourths of a mile, rock can
be struck with a probe and appears at frequent intervals in the bed of
the stream, a tough compact rock of grayish drab color.
The Stone Business op Monroe
In speaking of the stone business, incidental mention may be made
of the fact that before the war cjuarries of silica had been found on the
"Bond farms" northwest of the city which upon crushing and washing
was found to be superior ([uality and became much in demand by the
glass factories at Martin's Ferry and Bellaire, Ohio, in the manufac-
ture of glass. A crushing and washing plant was established at the docks,
the stone was quarried, brought to Monroe by teams, crushed and washed
and shipped during the summer by boat to Cleveland and in winter by
cars direct to destination and for a number of years in the '608 and '70s
this industry was of considerable prominence in the county. This was
subject to the same trouble as the lime business, for four months in the
year, two in the spring and two in the fall, mud roads made it impossible
to get the roek from the pits to the crusher. Legal dJiHculties between
the partners owning and operating the quarries, injunctions and law-
suits put an end to the business in the '70s; but some twenty years
later it was revived, a blank track from Detroit Southern Railroad was
run to the Bond farm and' the industry is now in a reasonably flourishing
condition, being operated as the Monroe Silica Company.
From the decadence of the lime business in the early '70s of which no
remains were left except an occasional burning at Ida for local purposes
and a small kiln south of Monroe operated by a Mr. Gaifney the use of
limestone was again restricted to building purposes until in the '908;
although an occasional far-sighted business man woiild advocate its use
for road making and similar purposes; and its use with Portland cement,
then only imported into Michigan from the east, for foundation purposes.
His words, however, generally fell on deaf ears.
The inception of the present flourishing stone business of the county
was the idea of one Oliver B. Hawkins, who owned a farm south of Plum
Creek along the railroads, south of the city of Monroe. A part of this
farm lay between the tracks of the Michigan Southern and Canada South-
em, later the Michigan Central, about a mile south of the city.
Upon the tract of land Hawkins set up a small plant with a crusher
with the idea of furnishing crushed stone for road-making purposes.
The piece of ground was small and Mr. Hawkins unexpectedly found
himself doing such a flourishing business that he was tempted to enlarge.
He became associated with a Mr. Smith and the business grew rapidly.
At the quarry south of the city the proximity of the ereek as well as the
presence of springs in the rock made thepi a great deal of trouble from
water and diminished their profits. They began to look about for other
locations and ultimately this quarry was abandoned, the machinery dis-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 281
mantled and a tract of ground of the Detroit Southern, near Scofield, was
acquired and a much bigger quarry put in operation. The business con-
tinued to grow and finally attracted the attention of a number of the
progressive business men of Monroe. They were moved to consider it by
three reasons ; first, the abundant supply of the stone ; the opportunity
to obtain labor, which was plenty in Monroe ; and the facilities for ship-
ments. After discussion of the question a corporation was formed, known
as the Monroe Stone Company, and a tract of ten acres of land was leased
north of the city adjoining the P. M. L. S. & M. S. and M. C. R. R., and
a quarry was installed. The business was a success from the start, the
company continued to develop until they had practically covered the
ten acres which they leased from the P. M. and gone to as great a depth
as they could properly quarry and elevate the stone. With a steadily
increasing business the company purchased forty acres about a mile
south of the city, removed their crushing plant thereto; added a sec-
ond crusher of much greater capacity than the first and has continued
to do a flourishing and profitable business. In 1911 this company as-
signed its stock to members of the France Stone Company, a larger
producer of. stone at various points in Ohio, managing some twenty
enterprises and while retaining its corporate existence as the Monroe
Stone Company has virtually become an integral part of the France
enterprise.
When the Shore Line Railroad was in contemplation in order to ob-
tain a needed supply of ballast, a quarry was opened along its line
some two miles north of the city and in sight of, and overlying the same
bed of rock as the original iiuarry of the Monroe Stone Company. This
enterprise was incorporated, as The Shore Line Stone Company, with
Messrs. Eckert and Peabody at its head and has been continuously
operated from its inception to the present time, being now controlled by
Messrs. Thornton Dixon and Frank Cairl.
In the meantime while the electric railway l>et\veen Detroit and
Toledo was being built another stone quarry was opened and crusher
erected in the village of New Port, Berlin township. This was used al-
most exclusively to furnish ballast for the electric line and never was
a factor in the regular stone trade of the county. When the road was
completed the crusher was dismantled and the pit allowed to fill with
water. Moved by the possibilities of the crushed stone business Mr.
Davis and some others under the title of the Ida Stone Company installed
a crusher at thu old lime (|uarries west of Ida and for some years and
until the death of Mr. Davis did business at that point; hut the quarry is
now abandoned.
The quarries of the Monroe Stone ('ompany south of, and the Shore
Line Stone Company north of the city are still growing year by year
and the volume of their transactions is astonishing, considering the fact
that the product is rained, crushed, screened, loaded into ears and shipped
at prices ranging from fifteen to sixty cents per short ton. The discovery
of marl beds in Michigan and the great production of hydraulic cement
in the state and the immense growth of the use of crushed stone, sand,
cement, and gravel in structural business and road-making business
would seem to indicate that the business was yet only in its infancy and
was destined to a largely increasing and profitable future. This has
been the reason of the growth and success of the present quarries and
augurs well for their future prosperity. Their present income is over
$1,000 a day upon an average and when the price of the product
is considered, some estimate of the volume of the business can
be formed. The lime stone in the county is inexhaustible; the uses to
which it may be put are increasing yearly; its quality is unsurpassed;
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282 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
it has been found available not only for building purposes, and for road
purposes, but also in the treatment of salt products and in the manufac-
ture of iron ; it is a chemical and a flux stone as well as building and road
material; and in years to come chemistry and metallurgy will un-
doubtedly furnish other uses for it. Meantime the operating (luarries
are yearly improving both their facilities and their means to economically
produce the crude material and already the railroads to which they are
tributary are finding it difficult to furnish sufficient ears to handle the
output during the busy season. New machinery and new devices to more
economically produce and handle the stone are being installed, — air com-
pressors, donkey locomotives, steam shovels, meehanieal self-acting drills,
automatic pumps, screens of larger variety and the most modern crushers
are being installed and the business, whose real inception was in the
mind of a dreamy farmer less than a score of years ago, has now become
one of the leading industries of the county.
Monroe Stone Company
The most important quarry in the eastern part of the county is the
one now being operated by the Monroe Stone Company. This is located
in the southern part of Frenchtown, about two miles north of the city
of Monroe, claim 64, North River Raisin. , It lies between the Lake Shore
and Michigan Central tracks and is connected with the Pere Marquette
by means of a switch, so that the shipping facilities are all that could be
desired. The quarry was opened in September, 1895, since which time
work has been actively pushed and an immense amount of rock crushed
and marketed. The stripping averages about two and one-half feet vary-
ing but little toward the east and west. Two hundred feet to the south
it equals four feet in thickness, while one hundred feet north it equals
three feet. The upper layer is glaciated above, as is uniformly the case
in the county. For fourteen feet the rock is thin bedded, the strata
varying in thickness from two inches at the top to ten inches below, and
is shattered and broken so as to have no value for building purposes.
It is a dark drab dolomite, of fine grain and even texture, breaking with
rough conchoidal fracture and sharp edges. Thin, wavy carbonaceous
films traverse the rock. Between the strata are layers of a soft putty-
like clay which hardens upon exposure. These sometimes reach a thick-
ness of two inches and represent surface material brought in by perco-
lating waters. A good view of the bed as seen upon the west wall of the
quarry is shown on opposite page. At the base of these beds there is a
thin stratum of breccia made up of angular fragments of a deep blue
dolomite, another which is finely laminated and further, fragments of
oolite, all contained in a drab, dolomite matrix. Beneath this lies a
bluish gray layer, streaked and mottled with a deeper blue coloring sub-
stance. Two large sink holes were encountered in the quarry, which at
the time of examination was in the form of a semicircle, with a radius of
about one hundred and thirty feet. These holes were well like openings
with a diameter of six to ten feet, containing at the bottom a mass of
irregular fragments, cemented with crystallized calcium carbonate. The
following analysis of the rock from this quarry was obtained by the
geological survey in 1900:
2 feet 7 feet 10 feet
down down down
Calcium carbonate 54.54% 54.47% 54.94%
Magnesium carbonate .... 42.75 43.59 42,84
Silica 2.00 .74 1.33
Iron oxide and alumnia. . . .70 .98 .58
Difference 01 .22 .31
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284 fllSTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Monroe Quarries
To the south of the city of Monroe there have been opened several
quarries of more or less importance, chiefly in the immediate vicinity of
Plum creek. Some of these furnished building stone and lime in an
early day to the French settlers of this region. The main excavations
are upon the north side of the creek and lie upon adjoining divisions
of claim 498, belonging to Alex. T. Navarre and Mrs. Mary T. Navarre.
The stripping consists of a stony, yellowish brown clay from three and
one-half to five feet thick, deepening towards the west. In the north-
eastern part of the irregular excavation two fairly well defined folds in-
tersect one another, one bearing N. 45° E., and the other N. 60° W. From
these ridges the rock dips in four directions from two to five degrees.
In the A. T. Navarre the dip is approximately one to two degrees toward
N. 61° W. Here four beds may be recognized, the upper one being
termed the "white bed." This is a gray to creamy white dolomite, six
lo seven feet thick, thin bedded and fissured above, but thicker toward
the base. Many loose pieces of this bed are in the clay stripping soft-
ened upon the surface to a mealy powder. At the lower part of this
bed it passes into a nine to ten feet stratum, which is very compact, even
grained, somewhat laminated and sparingly streaked with blue. The
roek is brittle, gives sharp edges, and coarse conchoidal fracture. Owing
to its higher specific gravity it is known in the quarry as the "lead
bed." Beneath this lies a two-foot "gray bed," made up of a fossilifer-
ous light drag dolomite, carrying some films of carbonaceous material,
A local deposit of breeeiated material similar to that found in the
sink holes of the Monroe Stone Company quarry was observed at one
place. Upon the south side of the creek the rock lies very near the sur-
face and a linear excavation extends for a considerable distance parallel
with the stream. It is here that the bed of oolite, previously dracribed,
appears. Above it is a creamy dolomite, becoming somewhat blue, while
beneath is a compact, laminated bed, streaked horizontally with a rusty
brown. Judging from the alteration in the mottled dolomite seen in the
Little Sink quarry this bed is of the blue streaked variety. These beds
underlie those above described, as well as those in the quarries north of
the city.
One-half mile down stream a large quarry has been opened between
the two railroad tracks by the Michigan Stone and Supply Company, the
owners of the Woolmith quarry. The excavation is in the form of an
irregular rectangle about four hundred and fifty by one hundred and
twenty-five feet. At the time of the visit it was well filled with clear
blue water so that the strata could not be examined. Toward the north
aide the depth is said to be thirty-two feet, penetrating a lower series
of beds than are seen elsewhere in the county. The rock was used en-
tirely for road purposes and a crusher was operated in connection with
the quarry. For five years no work has been done here, owing, it is re-
ported, to the damage done to neighboring houses by the blasting. The
ledges exposed above the water are thin-bedded fissured dolomites, of a
light color. In the stone pile at the crusher there are seen fragments of
a compact, fossiliferous, drab dolomite ; another of a bluish color and
conchoidal fracture and a third blue shaly roek, friable and carrying
carbonaceous seams. The former foreman says that the strata are very
much disturbed in this quarry and "run every way."
During periods of low water in the Raisin roek is quarried directly
from the bed opposite the city and for a distance of three to four miles
above at frequent intervals. The lower beds thus exposed consist of gray
and drab dolomites, the latter finely laminated. Opposite claims 65 and
88 (North River Raisin) the rock is a creamy yellow dolomite, in some
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 285
layers very finely laminated. Further up the river the higher beds
occur and are seen to become more silieious as the Sylvanta sandstone
is approached. In Willow Run, at its mouth a thin layer of sandstone
occurs, which much resembles the Sylvaiiia except for the greater coarse-
ness of its grains. Near the top of the series there occurs a stratum of
bluish gray and brown chert, somewhat brecciated and carrying obscure
fossil remains.
Within a distance of a half mile south of the Plum Creek quarries
four small openings liave been made and rock removed for local pur-
poses. Some two hundred paces south a small field quarry has been
opened upon claim 498, belonging to Alexander T. Navarre. From three
to five feet of bluish to buff dolomite are exposed. Locally the strata
are laminated, in places homogeneous. Tlie rock weathers to a soft, mealy
substance of a creamy color. Numerous fragments are looSe in the clay
stripping, whicli varies in thickness from a few inches to three feet.
About one hundred paces to the southwest of this quarry Dennis Na-
varre has a small field quarry into the same bed. Some of the rock shows
the brownish mottled effect seen on Plum creek in the beds associated
with the oolite. The two other quarries are upon the same claim and
are upon the banks of Tamarack creek. The most westerly one belongs
also to Dennis Navarre and is located near his residence. The opening
is three to four feet deep and was tilled with water at the time of the
visit. The bed of oolite is here exposed and some of the overlying dolo-
mite, which is creamy and slightly mottled. For a distance of about
three hundred paces down stream the rock appears in outcrop and an
irregular quarry has been opened upon the property of Patrick Navarre.
The rock is thin-bedded and fissured al>ove, but the deeper layers attain
a thickness of nine to ten inches. The upper strata are buff to gray
and mottled with brown to a depth of four feet. Beneath this the rock
is compact and of a drab color. The strata here dip 7° toward N.
16° E., both of whicii are abnormal.
La Sai.le Quakries;
No quarries of any magnitude or especial importance have yet been
opened far south of Plum creek, but the rock is near the surface in many
localities and the railroads are near at hand to give the necessary ship-
ping facilities. Excepting the bed of oiilite previously noted, the rock
is a gray to drab dolomite, generally compact and adapted for road
metal, of wJiieh the region generally stands in great need. Within tlic
limits of La Salle township to the south a number of minor quarries
have been started, but unimportant in amount of production. The rook
is the common type of drab dolomite in rather thin layers.
Bedford Quarries
Three small quarries have been opened near together and excavated
to a depth of two to three feet at the center of Section 12. Bedford town-
ship. These are of almost trifling importance and stand idle a con-
siderable portion of the year, the excavations filling with water, as is
the case when quarries are not operated. The rock samples show that
. tiie rock is a somewhat incoherent and not homogeneous drab dolomite.
The other small quarries in this township are not dissimilar in character-
istics and may be simply named without detailed description as follows r
The White quarry, the Willis quarry, Blisha Sorter, etc., etc. In the
White quarry it is interesting to note that there are characteristics simi-
lar if not identical with those of the Monroe Stone Company and the
layer exposed at Stony Point.
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286 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Whiteford Quarriks
There remain but two email quarries to he briefly described and these
are located in the southern part of Whiteford township. Those lying
above the Sylvania sandstone have been described in a previous section
of this chapter. In each of these two quarries the oolitic stratum occurs
in a peculiarly modified form, termed locally "bastard limestone." This
is best seen in the quarry of Nelson Bush in the S. W. y^, S. E, 14, Sec.
25, just north of the east and west road. The rock here seems much
disturbed and broken and suitable only for road work, for which it has
been used. At the time of the visit a portable crusher was at work pre-
paring stone for a road leading into the city of Toledo. The uppermost
strata consist of a very compact bluish-gray dolomite which passes into
the oolite, both forming a bed five to six feet thick. Beneath lies a gray
compact bed which has been entered but a short distance. East a few
rods considerable rock has had to be blasted from the bed of Bay creek,
in order to suitably deepen it for drainage purposes. Large blocks of
the oolite and compact dolomite are found upon the bank, along the
stream, for a considerable distance.
The second quarry of this group belongs to Stephen Young and is
situated in the N. E. 14, N. E. l^, Sec. 4 (T. 9 S., R. 6 E.) about twenty-
five rods northeast of the owner's residence. The excavation is an irreg-
ular quadrilateral about fifty feet long and has a depth of five feet. Near
the center of the quarry the rock strata are said to have been horizontal,
but about the sides appear much disturbed. The rock is the compact,
modified oolite of a buff color and gritty feel, so that it is easily mistaken
for a sandstone, upon superficial examination.
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CHAPTER XXII
PHYSICAL GKOGRAPITY
Climate of Monroe County — Contour ok the County — Elevations
Within the County — Surface Drainage — Picture of the River
Raisin — Macon and Saline Rivers — The Huron and Other
Streams — Underground Drainage.
The author wishes to express his grateful acknowledgments to Prof.
W. H. Sherzer, of the Jlichigan Geological Survey, for valuable and in-
teresting information and scientific data contained in his "Geological
Report on Monroe County," a work of the highest order containing the
fullest and most elaborate description of the general configuration and
of the resources of the county that has been made public. He also desires
to especially thank Prof. R. C. Allen, director of the Geological Survey
of Michigan, for his courteous assistance, and permission to make use of
the numerous fine illustrations accompanying this chapter, which is
appreciated no less by the author of this history than by its readers.
The tables of climatic data are from the same source up to 1871, to which
are added the observations of Mr. John "W. Morris of Grape, Raisinvilie
township, kindly supplied by him for this chapter.
Mr. Morris has furnished the observations at Grape, which is the
geographical center of the county, for many years, and his tables are
perfectly accurate and reliable. He has been most obliging and cour-
teous in furnishing to the local press from time, to time such informa-
tion as would be of value and interest to the public.
Climate of Monroe County (1871-1911)
The geographical position of Monroe county, its proximity to Ijake
Erie, its topography and the prevailing direction of wind comhine to
make it one exceptionally favored so far as productive climate is con-
cerned. It corresponds in all essential particulars with the noted fruit
belts of western New York and northern Ohio. Lying low and flat,
hemmed in on the west and northwest by morainic ridges, with the great
body of water, which forms its entire eastern boundary, slowly radiating
its summer heat, fall frosts are delayed sufficiently for crops to mature.
Upon an average not until October 12 does the first killing frost occur
in the center of the county. During the past ten years the earliest date
at which this has occurred was September 21 and the latest was October
30. During the greater part of each year the wind blows from the quar-
ter of the compass lying between south and west. In consequence, the
mean temperature is higher than it might otherwise be and the annual
precipitation is abundant. According to statistics published in Wall-
ing's Atlas of Michigan by Dr. A. ■VVinchell, the average annual precipi-
tation at Monroe for eighteen years (1853 to 1870 inclusive) was 31.8
inches, with a minimum of 26.17 inches. This was distributed through
the seasons as follows: Spring, 8.11 inches; summer, 9.85 inches; fall,
287
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288 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
8.27 inches; winter, 5.56 inches. During the past twelve years at Grape
the precipitation has averaged about three inches less, being 28.724
inches. At Toledo where approximately the same weather conditions pre-
vail, as in the southeastern part of Monroe county, the mean annual pre-
cipitation for the past twenty-nine years is 30.68 inches, rather evenly
distributed throughout the year. During the winter months, of course,
some of this is precipitated as snow, ten inches of which are regarded as
equal to one inch of rain. The average snowfall for the fifteen years
previous to 1900 has been 33.6 inches, the greatest fall occurring during
the winter of 1895-96, giving a total for the year 63.7 inches. The least
snowfall during this period of years occurred during 1889-90, when
there fell the surprisingly small amount of 6.0 inches. It is evident from
the figures that even during winters of greatest snow fall the bulk of the
moisture received from the air is precipitated as rain. During the twelve
years over which the records have been kept at Grape the maximum
amount of rainfall in twenty-four hours, consecutively, equaled 2.94
inches, which fell on September 13, 1892. This was nearly equaled in
August 21, 1890, when 2.92 inches fell. February is generally regarded
as the "snow month" of our winters and observation records show that
the minimum is reached during the last week of the month. Following
is tlip average monthly temperature and precipitation, 1871 to 1909 :
Month. Temperature. Precipitation.
■January 25.8° 2.03
February .'. 27.8 2.02
March 34.8 2.23
April 47.6 2.19
May 59.2 3.39
June 69.1 3.29"
July 73.1 3.10
August 70.7 2.60
September 64,0 2.38
October 52.4 2.32
November 39.6 2.84
December 30.6 2,29
Of great importance to the agricultural interests of the county
is the question of temperature, particularly its distribution through the
year, and the minumum reached during the winter. At Grape, during
the ten years ending in 1870, the mean annual temperature as deter-
mined by standard instruments has averaged 49.14° and for twenty-
nine years the average was 49.6''. The lowest temperature recorded at
Grape from 1890 to January 20, 1892, was 18° below zero, while the
highest temperature at the same place was 99° on June 4, 1890. The
summer isotherm of 70°, which marks the theoretical position of the
sugar beet belt, cuts diagonally across the county. The annexed table
shows the mean temperatures and snow-fall and total precipitation,
1871 to 1909:
Southwest
Southwest
Southwest
South
1871
49.5
31.38
1872
48.1
27.56
1873
49.3
35.52
1874
50.1
25.83
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
875..
.876..
877..
878..
.879..
.880. .
889..
890. .
.891..
892..
46 4
28.03
Southwest ■
49.0
34.65
Southwest
.W7
35.17
Southwest
51.8
32.67
W. & N. E.
50 4
30.27
Southwest
52.0
35.72
Southwest
51 fi
45.91
West
51 1
33.03
South
4R6
34.24
S.&S.W.
50 0
28.43
Southwest
47 0
33.19
41.9 Southwest
481
32.70
51.9 Souttiwest
48 9
32.01
36.S
N. B. & S. W
47 6
25.86
25.2 Southwest
49 8
21.84
18.
Southwest
50.7
33.64
22.9 Southwest
SOS
27.12
26.7 Souttiwest
48 6
36.70
30.
Northwest
48 H
23.81
44.9 Northwest
51 1
21.34
20.9 Southwest
48.2
25.31
58.6 Southwest
50 0
33.10
44.5 Southwest
49.6
30.35
31..=
West
51 0
28.10
20.t
West
50.0
27.06
28.4 Southwest
49.6
30.68
33.6 Southwest
Average .
This may be assumed to approximately represent the meteorological
conditions that prevailed in Monroe county during the period named.
Passing over the intervening time between the last date given and
the year 1911, the present year offers some characteristics of tempera-
ture and meteorology, which are of interest and which are taken from
Mr. Morris's observation at Grape.
It is a noteworthy fact that during 1911 there was no zero weather
and for six months and six days consecutively there was no frost. The
record for 1911 is tabulated below. temp?;batuke
Max. Min. Prec.
Januarv 49 3 1.33
February 58 4 1.58
March . , 66 7 1.13
April 75 18 3.06
May 97 28 1.20
June 96 46 4.09
July 100 47 2.70
August 90 45 3.16
September 90 40 4.33
October 71 26 3.90
November 68 11 3.00
December 58 10 1.99
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 291
The condensed record for 1912, up to February 28, is given:
Highest temperature in January, 38°; lowest, 17° below; with eight
inches of snow. Number of days in which rain or snow fell was nine;
Clear days, 6; cloudy, 17; partly cloudy, 8. Number of days when
temperature fell to zero or less, 12, nine of which were consecutive, from
the 5th to the 13th. On the 28th the minimum was 7° below.
In February to the 12Ui the record was as follows: The 3d, 13°
below; the 4th, 9° below; the 5th, 1° below; the 8th, zero; the 9th, 7°
below; the 10th, 22° below and the 11th, 7° below.
Average rainfall for 23 years, 1888 to 1911 inclusive was 30.022.
The two minimum years were 1895, 20.07; and 1910, 21.82; the maxi-
mum were 1892, 36.82 ; and 1902, 36.34.
Minimum temperature of the month of January for the last twenty-
one years as follows; January, 1890, zero; 1891, 3° above; 1892, 18°
below; 1893, 10° below, the 15th; 1894, 4° below the 25th; 1895, 6="
below the 28th; 1896, 5° below the 5th; 1897, 19° below the 25th; 1898,
6° above the 2d ; 1899, 10° below the 31st ; 1900, 4° below the 31st ;
1901, 4° below the 3d; 1902, 1° below the 28th; 1903, 8° below the
12th; 1904, 15° below the 5th; 1905, 9" below the 29th; 1906. 10° above
the 9th ; 1907, 6° below the 26th ; 1908, 7° below the 4th ; 1909, 6° below
the 13th; 1910, 1° above the 4th; 1911, 3° above the 5th; 1912, 17°
below the 13th.
There were no zero days in January, 1898, 1906, 1910 and 1911, nor
any zero at all during the year 1911. That in 1871 or 1873, he makes the
statement from his records, one day in the month of March the ther-
mometer reached 28° below zero!
Contour of the County
Relative to the general configuration of the county, Mr. Sherzer, in
his report, notes the following facts : "Hit were not for the local mounds
and irregular ridges which characteiize the sand hills in the eastern
portion, as well as the eroded stream valleys, the entire county would
present the appearance of a nearly unbroken horizontal plain. From
the northwest corner, towards the southeast, there is an average down-
ward slope of about seven feet to the mile, which is so slight as to be
imperceptible to the eye. A very gentle rise marks the position of
"Stony ridge" which extends from Sylvania to Stony Point, varying
in width from one half mile to a mile. This peculiar flat effect has been
produced by wave action, which cut down the natural eminences and
tilled in the depressions, thus grading the surface of the county until
it retained barely enough slope for its own drainage. The irregularities
referred to as now seen, have been impressed upon the surface after
this wave action over the region affected had ceased. * • * The
average grade within the limits of the county, along the Lake Shore
Railroad is 5.5 feet to the mile, and along the Ann Arbor line only
about 4 feet. A thorough system of drainage in the county has over-
come to a great extent the disadvantage of this too great level, and
other extensive drainage plans are now decided upon for 1912.
■ Elevations Within the County
Data relating to altitudes have been procured from four different
sources, more or less reliable, and from these it has been possible to con-
struct a map upon which the approximate elevations are represented by
a system of contour hnes, drawn at intervals of ten feet above mean tide
level {A. T.) at New York City. This would not have been possible in a
county with broken surface features, without a much more accurate tope-
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292 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
graphic survey. The contour lines must be regarded as only approxi-
mately located and are much smoother than they would appear if de-
termined by detailed work with a spirit-level. Over the sand areas no
attempt was made to represent the position of the numerous mounds and
ridges of blown sand. These are frequently rapidly changed through
the agency of wind and water and ordinarily their height falls within the
contour interval. Upon each contour line its elevation above Lake Erie
is placed in parenthesis.
(a). U. S. Survey levels. For all practical purposes the elevation
of Lake Erie at the present time may be taken as 573 feet. The mean
elevation for the period 1870 to 1898 is more accurately 572.721 feet.
The highest level of which there is definite record was reached in 1838,
when it equated 575.2 feet ; the lowest was attained in November, 1895,
being then but 570.79 feet. During this sixty years the fluctuation has
been 4.41 feet, enough to produce a marked effect upon the low-lying
shores of the lake. Within the memory of the older residents flat-bot-
tomed boats were loaded where now the land is under cultivation. The
board of engineers of the deep waterways commission has recommended
the regulation of the lake level by the eonstrnction of weirs at the foot
of the take just below Buffalo harbor, so as to maintain a level of 574.5
feet, and insure a sufficient amount of water for navigation purposes in
the fall when the traffic is greatest and the water liable to be lowest.
A geodetic station is located in the cemetery of the Monroe county
poor farm, about four miles west of the city, the elevation of which has
been confused with that of the city itself. The geodetic point is a small -
hole drilled in the top of a stone post set in the ground, the elevation of
which at the base of the post is 43.9 feet above the mean level of Lake
Erie. This mean level referred to is one that was earlier determined
than that given in the above paragraph and equaled 572.86 feet. The
elevation of the land there at the point indicated is 616.76 feet above
tide.
(b). Railroad levels. Owing to the drowned condition of the mouths
of all the rivers which empty into Lake Erie, the level of the Raisin here
represents approximately the mean level of the lake. The figures ob-
tained from the Lake Shore office are regarded as elevations above mean
Erie level and, upon this supposition, are in substantial agreement with
those of the Michigan Central and the Pere Marquette, referred to the
same datum.
In the case of the Ann Arbor road two sets of elevations were ob-
tained about a year apart. In one case the datum was given as the mean
level of Lake Michigan (582 feet) and in the second ease was stated to
be unknown. At its junction with the Adrian-Monroe branch of the
Lake Shore, according to the profile of the latter road, which is assumed
to be practically correct, the elevation of the rail is 93.07 feet above Lake
Erie level. "With Lake Michigan level as a datum the profile of the Ann
Arbor road gives the same point an elevation of 112,4 feet above Lake
Erie. The profile of the road was assumed to be approximately correct
within the limits of the county, the actual elevation of the junction with
the Lake Shore, at Federman, was regarded as 93 feet above Lake Erie
and the difference adjusted along the line in either direction. This
brings these elevations into substantial agreement with those of the Pere
Marquette, in both the southern and northern part of the county through
the Detroit and Lima Northern. In the case of the latter road the datum
could not be secured, but the series of actual elevations was obtained
similarly by knowing the elevation of its junction with the Pere Mar-
quette at Carleton. Upon the above basis the approximate elevation of
the rail at the following stations has been computed. The elevation above
mean sea level may be obtained by adding 573 feet to eaeh.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 293
Altitudes of RaiIjROad Stations
(Approximate elevation of rait above Lake Erie)
Feet. Feet.
Azalia 102 Lake Shore 19
Carleton 41 Ottawa Lake 119
Cone 141 Petersburg 105
Dundee 95 Rea 116
Pederman 93 Samaria 71
Grafton 41 Seofield 52
Ida 70 South Bockwood—
La Salle— Michigan Central 14
Michigan Central 15 Lake Shore 16
Lake Shore 17 Steiner 41
P. II. 25 Stony Creek-
Lulu 83 Michigan Central 21
Maybee 61 Lake Shore 24
Milan 122 Strashurg 53
Monroe — Temperance 46
Michigan Central ]5 Vienna —
Lake Shore 16 Lake Shore 13
P. M 28 :\richigan Central 13
Newport— P. M 24
Michigan Centrt
(c). Elevated beach levels. At periods when the waters of the Great
Lakes stood at successively higher levels a series of beaches was im-
pressed upon the surface of the county. These beaches thus mark actual
physical contours, the approximate elevations of which are known from
outside data. Their position is indicated where they furnish a check
upon the accuracy of the work hased upon the railroad levels. These
beaches will be described in another connection and it may simply be
said here that the highest marks the altitude of 170 feet above the lake,
the second that of 121 feet, the third about 85 feet and the lowest about
42 feet.
Surface Drainage
The map of the county shows that the drainage is, in general, south-
eastward and from what has been said in regard to the surface slope it
is apparent why this should be the case. Most of the streams make their
way independently. North of the River Raisin there are some minor
tributaries which join it finally only after paralleling it for a number
of miles. Following the Raisin upon the south side and along many of
the other streams there is more or less sand dejwsit outside of the main
valleys. This was deposited probably as a delta upon either side of the
stream, as the waters of the lakes were gradually withdrawn.
Two streams worthy of the names of rivers, enter the Raisin, however,
in the southeastern part of Dundee township, the Macon and the Saline.
These streams appear to have had a common bed from thi& point to the
lake. From their point of union a broad depression extends southwest-
ward for a number of miles into Lenawee county as shown by the sur-
face contours. It is quite probable that this depression was occupied by
a third small stream which also joined the Macon and Saline. The natural
direction of the Raisin is southeastward across Lenawee county, but it
takes a very abrupt turn and enters Monroe county flowing northeastward
across Sunimerfield and Dundee townships. It seems very probable that
this third stream referred to cut its way back into the watershed which
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 295
separated il from tiie Kaisiii, until the latter stream was tapped and
"captured." This bed furnishes a more direct route to the lake and the
Eaisiii turned northeastward until it reached tha common bed of the
Macon and Saline.
Picture op the River B.vigiN
The curious alternate meandering and straightening of the Raisin
has gone on for years within the easy memory of the older inhabitants ;
marked changes have occurred in the course of the stream, forest 'trees
of respectable size are now growing where there had been good fishing
and boating. The river has meandered a mile but advanced less than
one hundred feet. The River Raisin at Monroe, where it still passes
through the city, and is crowed by two bridges at Macomb street, and
Monroe street, is from 210 to 220 feet broad, rendered shallow by the
Floo]> on RivKR RusiN, February 8, 1887
View on Front Street River Rank. Ice piled 8 to 10 feet liigli left by recediiig waterH
layers of dolomite. Ice jams sometimes form in the stream opposite the
city extending down to the great steel railroad bridges three of which
span the river at this point. A notable freshet occurred in 1887, when
the great presence of heavy ice carried away the steel passenger bridge
at Macomb street. Great danger was caused by the encroachments of
the water into quarters of the city thought to be entirely outside the
flood dangers. An illustration of the scene taken at the time is herewith
shown. The fall in the river from the Macon to Monroe is about
sixty feet, giving an average of about four feet to the mile, as
measured in a straight line. Dams have been constructed at Peters-
burg, Dundee, Grape, and near the city of Monroe ; the latter is of con-
eret« construction some four hundred feet long, and furnishes power for
a flour mill with a capacity of about one hundred barrels daily, also
for a woolen mill.
As the river swings from side to side on its course there is cut out of
the drift deposits which cover the rock, a broad valley partly filled with
river silt. During times of highest flood the river leaves its channel,
spreads over all the region between the outer banks, and as the velocity
of its water is checked, there is deposited a layer of sediment. In the
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296 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
course of time there is built up a flat terrace, the height of which is de-
termined by the height to which the water may rise at each particular part
of the stream. This constitutes the flood-plain of the river. In the ease
of the Raisin it may be followed from near the lake, continuously up
stream, across the county. Where the valley is broad and the river has
a chance to spread most during flood its height is less. On the other hand
where the valley is narrowest, the flood-plain terrace is highest, as is well
shown at Petersburg. Here the valley, which is ordinarily from one-
quarter to one-half mile in width/ narrows to about seven hundred feet
and the terrace is fully eight feet above the general level of the river.
In the western part of the county the, banks vary from twenty to thirty
feet above the bed of the stream, are twenty-six feet high at Dundee and
gradually diminish towards the mouth.
For each individual stream there seems to be a limit to the amount of
wandering of which it is capable, and hence to the breadth of its valley.
In the formation of the great ox-bows a neck of land is produced into
which the stream cuts on opposite sides until it is completely eaten across
and the channel is straightened. The abandoned portion of the bed forms
a crescent shaped marsh or lagoon, numerous examples of which may be
found along nearly all of the streams. The erosive action of the water
is thus confined mainly to the terrace deposit of its own making, rather
than to the valley banks and this is torn down and built up many times
over in the history of the river. In places, however, new work is being
done upon the original drift deposits and the valley correspondingly
broadened until the stream is again straightened and the water with-
drawn. Besides the one above mentioned, other factors contribute to the
periodic straightening of the river channel.
Macon and Saline Rivers
The Macon and the Saline rivers, with their branches drain the
northwestern part of the county, the southern part of Washtenaw and
the northeastern portion of Lenawee. They are simply the Raisin in
miniature, each showing the broad valley, the elevated flood plain over
which they pursue their winding courses. The banks are about twenty-
five feet high where they join the Raisin, but gradually diminish to less
than half this height.
The Huron and Other Stkeams
The Huron forms the northern boundary of Berlin township, but re-
ceives no tributaries of any size from this county. It has about the same
length as the Raisin and carries about the same volume of water. It rises
in the western part of Oakland county, flows southwest across the south-
eastern part of Livingston, between great morainic ridges and through a
chain of lakes, then taking a wide southeasterly course across Washtenaw
and Wayne and entering the lake just below the mouth of the Detroit
river. The banks are from ten to fifteen feet high and about sixty rods
apart. The stream itself is about ninety feet wide and flows with a swift
current. The width varies considerably ; near Ann Arbor the river is
broad and shallow, nearly as wide as the Raisin, but at South Roekwood
it is confined in a space one-half the width. From Flat Rock eastward
the river forms numerous characteristic meanders, similar to those noticed
in the Raisin, The banks are gradually reduced in size until in section
23 of Berlin they are not more than two feet high and the flood-plain
merges into the broad flat delta. The stream current has here been lost
although but two miles from its mouth and there is simply an ebb and
flow from the lake. A strong easterly wind will cause a rise of two feet
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 297
in the water. Some thii'ty or forty years ago this little stream waa
navigable for small sail craft as far as South Boekwood and Hon. John
Strong of South Rockwood built, aud used in the transportation of
staves to Detroit and other ports, a small steamer, but nothing of the
kind is now attempted there, although the United States Coast Chart
shows a depth of ten to sixteen feet. Such a depth in this portion of the
stream, where there is practically no current is quite unusual. Between
the Huron and the Raisin, Swan Creek, Stony Creek and Sandy Creek
enter the lake directly, each with relatively broad valleys and Sood-plain
terraces. As has been previously pointed out roek is struck for a short
distance in the bed of each. South of the Raisin we have an essentially
similar set of streams, Plum, Otter, Muddy, Bay and Halfway Creeks
being the principal ones. These drain mainly the region that lies east of
Forest Beach, but in the ease of the latter stream the surface drainage
of Whiteford to the west is brought to the lake. This cuts through the
beach one and one-half miles south of Lambertville, being assisted by
considerable dredging aud blasting. The presence of the Arkona and
Forest beaches has considerably interfered with the natural drainage of
Whiteford and the southern half of Summerfieid townships and has
necessitated the construction of extensive artificial drains.
UnDERG HOUND DrAINAOE
In the region of obstructed drainage just referred to, nature has in
part obviated the difficulty by sending the surplus water to the lake under
the beach, instead of over it. Sink holes and subterranean rock channels
have been produced by the solution of the dolomite, so that farms are
sometimes drained into old wells. In deepening wells which enter the
rock it sometimes happens that the entire quantity of water is lost by
opening communication with one of these underground channels. It is
reported that sometimes running water may be heard by placing the ear
to the ground. In the southern part of section 2, of "Whiteford, there
occur two large depressions, known respectively as the "Big Sink" and
"Little Sink." The latter is the site of Cummins' rjuarry. The "Big
Sink" is a large depression, fifteen to eighteen feet deep, one-half mile
long and about one-fjuarter broad. A ditch from the northwest drains
into this and in the spring the depression fills to overflowing and becomes
confluent with "Little Sink," forming a veritable lake as shown in
illustration. Each season it becomes stocked with fish from Lake Erie,
by means of Halfway Creek, and carp weighing ten to fifteen pounds are
said to be caught. In the bottom of the bed there is a small ravine in
which occurs the opening shown in the illustration. Through this the
water finally escapes, sometimes very rapidly and with whirlpool effect.
It is possible that an ice plug may be formed during the winter and as
long as this remains intact the sink retains its water. Whatever the ob-
struction may be, it is always disposed of in time for cultivation of the
land.
Southwest of these two sinks, occurs a much larger one known as
Ottawa Lake, lying mainly in sections 17, 18, 19 and 20 of Whiteford
townships. This has a length of more than two miles and exceeds one-
half mile in its greatest breadth, although it is narrow throughout the
greater part of its extent. Each season this fills up and becomes stocked
with bass, perch, carp and pike as in the above instance. By midfall
this lake has practically disappeared, partly by evaporation but mainly
through openings into the rock beneath. The illustration. Bed of
Ottawa Sink, on page 276, shows the bed of the lake,' taken from the
head looking south, when all the water has gone except the small pool
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UrSTORV OF MONROE COUNTY 299
ill the foreground. Fish are said to be caught in large numbers as
the water subsides, while those left behind to die render tiie air offensive
for some distance. It is stated that near the foot of the lake had been
seen an opening "as large as a room" leading into the rock and that
it had been entered twelve to fourteen feet, but it was seen some dis-
tance further that it contained much mud with fish, turtles and snakes.
Search was made for this opening but all that was found was a bowl
shaped depression in the mud fifteen to sixteen feet in diameter and five
feet deep oontaining about a peck of young cat fish. During the past
summer the bed of the outlet has been lowered by the county so that the
level of the full lake will be reduced four feet, by which means many
acres of marsh land on the south and east will be reclaimed. In the
northern part of Sec. 15, Bedford township, there is a small body of water
upon the "ridge," known as Little Lake. At the time of Rominger's
survey of this region (1873 to 1876) this was dry and showed conspic-
uous rock crevices in its bed. It has not been dry for a number of years
and it is not now regarded by local residents as a sink. It seems prob-
able that the subterranean exits have become temporarily clogged and
that they may again become functional upon being cleared. A somewhat
similar case occurred just south of the Lulu f|uarry in Sec. 16, of Ida
township, where there is a depression covering five acres and about nine
feet deep. This has filled each spring with water which has had to slowly
evaporate. In 1896 it appears to have found an outlet, or to have opened
a former one, since it was filled several times and each time emptied itself
in three days. Just south of the Big Sink, in the N. W. 14, See. 11,
Whiteford, there is situated a sink which has become inoperative. Upon
the place of Daniel Rabideu there are two small sinks in the S. W. 14,
N. W. 14, See. 10, of Whiteford. In Sec. 8, N. E. 1/4, K. W. 14, there are
minor sinks and sink holes, into one of which a man and horse are said
to have broken through.
It is very probable that there exists throughout this region a scries of
underground galleries and chambers, but probably of no great dimen-
sions. The openings are not known to show air currents, which would
probably be the c&se if they communicated with extensive caverns.
These subterranean channels seem to extend below the lake and hence
must have been cut when the land stood at a higher level. The water
which enters these sinks supplies the great springs, which are found to the
east along the lake shore. Some of it also very probably reappears in
the artesian wells of the region and some of it may reach the lake di-
rectly, without coming to the surface.
There is evidence that these underground waters are inhabited by a
special fauna similar to that found in caverns. Sometime in the 70's
there wm^ pumped from a well in the N. W. Y^, N. W. y^, Sec. 32, of
Summerfield township, three small fish which are said to have shown no
trace of eyes. The well was eighty to ninety feet deep and stands upon
land now belonging to J. Cosgroy. The fish were seen swimming in a
pail by the late Mr. Ezra Lockwood, who gave the length of the largest
as about one and one-half inches, dark brown in color, slender in form,
"shaped like a mullet" but with much enlarged paired fins and the dorsal
fin extending to the tail. A similar find was reported from Utica, north
of Detroit, in Macomb county, some years ago. Two larger fish were
obtained from a well, neither of which according to the owner, showed
any trace of eyes. Very unfortunately a cat made a meal of them before
they could be secured. Similar discoveries may reasonably be expected
in the future. So long ago that the time cannot be expressed in years,
certain internal forces of the earth disturbed the originally horizontal
beds of shale limestone, dolomite and sandstone. These were tilted so
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300 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
that they dipped to the northwest in this region, and their outcropping
edges were thus given a northeast and southwest direction. The differ-
ent degrees of hardness of these beds caused them to weather unevenly,
and subjected them to unequal degrees of aqueous erosion, so that broad
valleys were cut out having the same direction as the beds themselves.
To a greater or less extent the pre-glacial topography determined the di-
rection of local movement of the great ice sheet and hence the direction
of maximum ice gouging. The direction of the advance of the ice dis-
posed of the deposits of till, moraines and boulders as we find them, and
gave to the county its present topography. ' ' There are no means of know-
ing at this remote day, what factors determined the direction of the
operation," says Prof. Sherzer, "of these potent forces. Could these be
but identified and traced to their origin, we could better understand the
sage remark of some far seeing scholar, that if a single grain of sand on
the seashore occupied the position of its neighbor, the history of the earth
would have been different,"
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CHAPTER XXin
ANIMALS, BIRDS AND FISHES
MusKRAT Lobe — The Beaver — Most Common Varieties op Birds-
Lake AND Marsh Birds— The Duck Family — The Wild Turkey
AND Its Ways — The Bald Headed Eagle— The Passenger Pigeon
— The German Carp^The Sturgeon.
It would be huartless, not to say inexcusable, to pass over, witbout a
word, that portion of the animal creation in Monroe county which has
ever contributed to its ioterest and attractions, to say nothing of its
substantial value. A description of its animals, birds and fishes is there-
fore here given spa«e, although less than the subjects deserve and cer-
tainly less than the author originally intended that they should occupy.
MusKKAT Lore
Stretching along the western shores of Lake Erie, from the mouth
of the Detroit river southward towards Maumee Bay, in Ohio, for many
miles, bordering the lagoons and bayous as well as fringing streams of
clear water that flow into the larger body, lie the vast marshes which
from the present to dates that are so old that they are lost in the mists
of antiquity, have been the homes and the playgrounds of hordes of
waterfowl of every name and description known to this latitude. Can-
vasback, redhead, mallard, blue and green-winged teal, the whistler, wid-
grow, gadwall, as well as the more plebeian mud hen which is the per-
manent resident.
Nor is the graceful swan and the Canadian goose ashamed to claim
the distinction of making his marsh his habitat d'ete. They are all here
in their proper season— hidden away perhaps, among the extensive fields
of wild rice, and the lilies and the cattails, but they are here. What a
captivating scene was this when first discovered by La Salle, Charlevoix
Hennepin and others of the earliest explorers ! They were nature lovers
—appreciative of the wonders that excited their admiration and filled
their larders here at the very gates of the unknown wilderness, which
lay beyond.
Listen to the words of the enthusiastic Charlevoix and of La Salle in
their journals of voyages and adventures amid the lakes and streams,
in their batteauv " ^nd canoes propelled by the hardy voyagers- "Great
• The batteaux were 1 ght an i shapely essels ery d fEerent from the h rch
canoe cal late I fo aj: d and ro kj strea b and to be earr ed o ec long portages
on mens sho Her th^v were trom twenty to th tv feet long and onlv four or fire
feet w le hari at ho h en It. 1 ke a canoe but rea h ng seven or e sht feet o er the
water fiar ng from the bottom to the gunwale n order that thev i ght sbj eaa ly
0 er the rocks an 1 other obstruct ona n the r way They were favor tea with the
lun ber lacks and r er n en also n n anag ng the extensive runs of saw logs
down the strea s Thev were made 1 ght only t«o hoards to a " le generally
secured to n aple or other hardwood Knees but n vard only the learest an 1 w lest
301
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302 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
and luxuriant fields of wild rice and the sweet flags, of grapes and
berries extend ahead of us and around us for miles ; the streams and the
trees along their borders are festooned with magnificent vines bearing
the great clusters of purple grapes, and the morasses swarming with
waterfowl. "We asked our Courier de bois, who proceeded us up this
stream to which we gave the name of La Riviere aux Raisins — if there
was much game where he had been. "So much," he replied that the
waterfowl dress up in lines to let our boats pass through, and the noise
of the vast flocks that soared over our heads and alighted again in the
tail reeds, was like the rushing of mighty winds!" Even making full
allowance for the enthusiastic exaggeration of the emotional Frenchmen
of the expeditions, the place can well be imagined as one to delight the
nature lover, and the sportsman, and a visit to the scene today might
easily convince one that the early descriptions could not have been alto-
gether flights of fancy. The early explorers have something pleasant
to say about the flsh in these waters: "The fish are here nourished and
bathed by living waters of crystal clearness and their astonishing abund-
ance makes them none the less delicious. Swans are so numerous that
one might take for ponds of lilies the spaces of water which they cover"
and so the narrative goes on, page after page, of glowing descriptions of
this great, beautiful natural game preserve.
Here, too, is the habitat of that "Grand Seignieur" M'sieu le Mus-
quash, the most numerous family in this great commonwealth. For many,
many years, perhaps two hundred (or two thousand, who knows?) has his
kingdom been established here, not without interference it is true, nor
free from the predatory visits of four-footed neighbors, and two-legged
invaders of his possessions — yet, notwithstanding these untoward cir-
cumstances the numbers do not suffer any apparent decrease. Though
warred upon and mercilessly followed into his very castle, by spear and
gun and trap he has maintained his ground (and water) and is still
found "doing business at the old stand." You may call him by his
scientific name the ondata — or you may confer upon him his Indian
Muskwa ; you may even designate him by the plain, every day local and
universal term of muskrat — yet even with this most plebeian name, he
is still the same quiet, well-behaved, keen-eyed, shrewd and industrious
rodent, Fiber zibethetms. He is simply indifferent to all. He likes
clean water and clean food, preferably vegetable— very preferable, in
fact, and it must be, beyond question, clean. Seldom are fishbones found
in his habitation, though he is not averse to a nice perch sometimes, when
his favorite food is not obtainable He is paiticular but not foolish
about his table — he likes not hungei As an architect M sieu le Mus
quash cannot be said to be piogressne His domicile is constru ted on
the same lines as it has been constiucted dimng all time — be doLsn t
believe in a change unless the change is also an improvement
As for the animal himself his coloi scheme is brown dark upon the
upper portion of the body, and lighter beneath tinged to a slighth led
dish tint upon the neck, ribs ind legs the belh being an ashen grey
The tail about six or eight inches long and flat hiving been onstructed
more for utility than beaut\ is perhaps in meh or an inch and a half
wide, covered very sparselj with toarse ha r The long existing preju
dice against the use of muskiat s flesh as food for humans was a fortu
nate one for the muskrat, m ronntction with his life libeit^ an 1 the
of white pine stuff was used, Thej were ^ery lurable lit the ro gh sage that thej
received in contact with rocks and stones gei erally exha "te 1 the best of them in
two years. Thej were the ideal craft for ihe p rpo e for wh h the were designed
and originated with the Indians anl Irench m the lerv earlj lays of f r traimg
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 303
pursuit of happiness, also that his fur was not valuable enough to
stimulate general hunting and trapping for it, hut it finally became
known that muskrat meat was one of the great delicacies of the winter.
One, Xavier Francis, an expert muskrat hunter and cook, was the dis-
coverer, and when he declared that "yon cook h'it wid h 'onion you
shan't tole it from duck," the question was considered as settled, and
the rodent was ever after much sought for. The tail is the titbit.
One of the most popular recent functions of the Monroe Yacht Club
was the Annual Muskrat Banquet, which occurred about Christmas time
and attracted guests from many surrounding towns. At one of these
recent feasts over eight hundred persons partook of the festive musquash
— cooked in a dozen different ways. He builds a good serviceable habita-
tion that serves his purpose very well, on the same plans and specifica-
tions observed by his ancestors and predecessors as far back as there are
any records of the animal. His houses are alike every year, and he
never uses one more than one season. He is somewhat fastidious about
the interior arrangements for his family, which consists of some seven
or eight members. The dining room and living room are separate and
the latter is utilized as sleeping <iuarters, also. The house is quite a
lai^e affair for the size of the animal, and constructed to meet the de-
mands of the season, for the muskrat is able to "discount the future"
so far as weather is concerned, and his preparations for a cold or mild
winter are wa.tehed with due attention by hunter and trapper and his
weather bulletins are eagerly awaited by the prospective layer in of the
winter's coal. If a long cold winter is foreseen by this sagacious ob-
server, he proceeds to build a thick walled house of sticks, mud and
reeds, near an abundance of water, if possible. The general design of
this house is not remaritable for its beauty, it resembles in shape one
of the old style conical beehives, with an entrance (generally two of
them) well beneath the surface of the water. It is comfortably lined
with leaves, twigs and grass. The hinder feet of the ondata are well
webbed and their imprint on the soft mud is very like that of a duck,
the only animal that frequents this locality that is so provided.
The Beavf-k
The most interesting as a study, and the most valuable, commercially,
of any of the fur bearing animals of Monroe county, in the fur trading
days, was the beaver. The numerous streams and small lakes, abound-
ing in fish; the dense forests of his particularly favorite wood, and the
general characteristics of the country surrounding the settlements, made
this in the old days the ideal home of the beaver; but with the disap-
pearance of the big woods, and the influx of settlers, the places that
knew him familiarly now know him no more. Its haunts now are far
northward, but the fur trade in the northwest has always had for its
prime factor the item of the beaver skin. Throughout the country dom-
inated by the big fur companies and their offshoots, and their tributary
bands of trappers, the beaver skin was the unit of value, the basis of
exchanges and barter. It has a distinct place in the literature of New
France. Though slaughtered without remorse, its virtues were appre-
ciated almost to the point of canonization. The beaver dam is consid-
ered one of the most wonderful and intelligent works of God's four-
footed ceratures. In the Jesuit Relations, much space is given to the sub-
ject, low flat lands lying adjacent to the river and lakes through which
they floated timbers for building purposes and mnter food, these canals
are usually from three to four feet wide. If they could not get the neces-
sary depth of water, they would dam up the mouth of the canal, then
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304 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
float their timbers to it, cut the dam and let the timber into the main
channel. They cut the timber for their winter food in October and sink
it to the bottom of the river or lake and cover it with stones and sand.
This is done to keep it sweet and fresh during the winter. In trapping
the beaver the usual way is to cut a hole in the south side of their
house for the traps. Their houses are solidly built of timber from fif-
teen to twenty feet long and from six to eight feet high, so arranged
that they will rise and fall with the water. They first place four posts
in the ground at the bottom of the stream; they dig a hole in the bottom
of the stream, and there take the pole designed for the corner post in
their mouths and go to the bottom with it. Another beaver will dive
down and fill dirt and stones around the post to hold it in position. It
is so firmly planted that the strength of two men is required to raise
it. Their house is built inside these four corner posts."
Paul Le Jeune, Sieur Olivier, Sieur Nicolet are enthusiastic observers
of these ingenious works. La Hontan, fifty years after these explorers,
is greatly impressed by the animal's sagacity. One of the above writers
"crossed over one of the dams which was more than two hundred steps
long;" Sieur Nieolet saw another, "almost a quarter of a league long,
so strong and so well built that he was filled with astonishment. He
writes: "The waters that are checked by this dam, become deep, and
form a beautiful pond in which the beavers go to swim." Even lately
within a comparatively short time, the beaver in certain limits is quite
plentiful. One old trapper and hunter, onee employed by the Hudson's
Bay Company, speaking of the beaver, says: "Of all the animals of
North America, there is none that displays such ingenuity and skill as
the beaver. They can easily cut down a tree ten inches in diameter in
an hour's time. Frequently a tree becomes lodged, and there they stand
on their hind legs and cut the tree off as high up as they can reach, con-
tinuing to cut off length after length, until the tree falls to the ground.
The poplar tree is the one most sought for and furnishes them with a
considerable part of their food, consuming the outer part, and using the
heart for building their dams.
The Red Fox
"While the red fox has been familiarly known in the early settlements
of Monroe county, and his pelt a prize to be valued, not alone on account
of its market price with the fur dealers, but representing the enjoyment
of sports afield, to many a veteran sportsman, the rare black fox, that
much sought but elusive animal of the north has been but seldom seen in
this region, yet it is on record that specimens have been seen and per-
haps now and then one bagged in the long ago in Monroe county. This
animal, in the estimation of trappers in the Canadian norlhland as well
as in the eyes of nobility, is a notable possession — the one and only king
of beasts. They certainty are a rara avis in this age. On an average,
but five perfect pelts of this rare fur bearer are brought down from the ■
semi-Arctic regions each year. In some very favorable years ten or
even twelve have been secured. How small a proportion this is may be
realized, when thousands of men make a living by trapping, and the
yearly catch for fox skins amounts to more than one hundred thousand
from Canada alone. In no way, except in color, doe.s the black fox
differ from either his red brother, whose plebeian pelts sell for al)out
$2.00, or the grey fox, whrae winter coat has a market value of from
$150 to $400, but whenever a hunter or trapper can secure one of the
sable hue, and remove his skin without marring fur or hide, he is sure
of receiving from $800 to $1500 for his trophy. The most eager buyers
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 305
of the black peltries, are Russian noblemeo, who have paid agents travel-
ing through North America, during every winter, seeking out remote
places in the wildernesses where black foxes may have been seen.
Most Common Varieties op Birds
Through the courtesy of Prof. "Walter B. Barrows, professor of
biology and zoology of Michigan Agricultural College, and of Mr.
Bradshaw H. Swales of Grosse Isle, Wayne county, a complete list of sev-
enty-five birds that have been and are still more or less common to Monroe
county is given. Many of the species are but occasional migrants, and
no doubt it will be surprising information to a great many readers of
this chapter that some of these have ever been seen here at all. The
annotated list of Mr. Swales was prepared especially to include all the
aquatic apecies, and the waders, the latter being easily identified by those
who are versed in the ornitholf^y of this latitude. Some of the species
named are comparative strangers, indeed, it is probable that none but
those in touch with the study, or with the occasional visitors themselves
will readily recognize the nomenclature.
It is not easy to say just how many kinds of birds can be fairly called
common in this locality, for more than three hundred and twenty species
have been recorded in the state while some sixty or more of these are so
rare as to have been taken only a few times, and as many more are very
seldom seen, yet at least one hundred and fifty species occur regularly
in some numbers and almost every one of them is common at some time
and place.
In selecting a list of seventy birds therefore, the author has aimed
to include only those which have been found regularly almost every-
where throughout the state, in suitable places and at proper times. Al-
most all of them are to be found in Monroe county, and those which
are the exceptions are the sapsucker. juneo, white throated sparrow,
brown creeper and certain warblers.
Seventy Common Birds
Herring Gull
Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Coot; Mud-Hen
Spotted Sandpiper
Kill deer
Ruffed Grouse
Mourning Dove
Marsh Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-Shouldered Hawk
Sparrow Hawk
Screech Owl
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Flicker
Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Hummingbird
Kingbird
Phoebe
Wood Pewee
Prairie Horned Lark
Blue Jay
Crow
Bobolink
Cowbird
Red- winged Blackbird
Meadowlark
Baltimore Oriole
Bronzed Grackle
Goldfinch
English Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Chewink; Towhee
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306 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Chestnut-sided Warbler
Indigo Bird Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager Ovenbird
Purple Martin Redstart
Barn Swallow Catbird
Tree Swallow Brown Thrasher
Bank Swallow House Wren
Cedar-bird White-breasted Nuthatch
Migrant Shrike Chickadee
Red-eyed Vireo Wood Thrush
Black and White Warbler Hermit Thrush
Yellow Warbler Robin
Black -throated Blue Warbler Bluebird
Myrtie Warbler
P'oUowing is Mr. Swales' list of lake and marsh birds and their seien-
fifie names:
1. Coiymbus holboelli. HoIbisU's Grebe. A rare migrant; spring
and fall.
2. Coiymbus auritus. Horned Grebe. Rather a common migrant
in spring and fall ; April, May.
3. Podilymbus podieeps. Pied-billed Grebe. A common migrant;
breeds in suitable marshes on Lake Erie and adjacent rivers.
4. Gavia immer. Loon. A fairly common migrant, but much
less so than formerly. Still breeds on suitable isolated lakes in the inter-
ior.
5. Gavia stellata. Red-throated Loon. Rare during the migrations ;
occasionally taken in winter.
6. Uria lomvia lomvia. Bninnieh 's Nunc. This Atlantic coast kind
has been secured on the Detroit river, Lake Erie and several localities in
the interior during quite extensive inland heights in December, 1896, and
December, 1907.
7. Alle alle. Dorekie. One record, Detroit river, 1881.
8. Stercorarius parasiticus. Parasitic Jaeger. Casually to be found
on Lake Erie.
9. Tarms argentatus. Herring Gull. A common migrant and win-
ter resident on Lake Erie and Detroit river. Immature kinds and home
breeders often remain all summer on the lake, but do not breed.
10. Larns deiawarensis. Ring-billed Gull. Fairly common migrant ;
remain during mild winters on Lake Erie.
11. Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte's Gull. This beautiful little
gull is an abundant migrant in late April, and early May ; again re-
appears in early September remaining well into November and occa-
sionally later if the lake is open.
12. Sterna caspia. Caspian Tern. Not common, Lake Erie ; this
is the lai^est of the terns found on tlie Great Lakes.
13. Sterna forsteri. Forster's Tern. A rather scarce summer resi-
dent; probably more abundant than realized as it is usually not dis-
tinguished from Sterna hirundo.
14. Sterna hirundo. Common Tern. A common speeies on Lake
Erie and adjacent marshes. Breeds in colonies on some of the islands on
western Lake Erie.
15. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. Black Tern. An abundant
breeder in the river and lake marshes.
16. Phalacrocorax auritus auritus. Double- crested Cormorant.
Rather a rare migrant ; formerly much more abundant.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 307
17. Pelecanus erythrorhynehos. White Pelican L isuilh taken
during the migrations.
18. Mergus Amerieania Merganser. An abundant duck on Lake
Erie during the migrations; many remain during miid «mteis
19. Mergus serrator. Red-breasted Jl^rganser Rathei common
during the migrations especially in early May on Lake Ene
20. Lophodytes eucullatus. Hooded Mergansei Migrant tairlj
common.
21. Anas playrhynchos. Mallard. A breeding kind m consideiahie
numbers in the Detroit river marshes, and along Lake Ene
22. Anas rubripes. Black Duck. A more abundant breeding duck
than the mallard. This duck has greatly increased in numbers during
the last twenty years.
23. Chavlelasmus streperus. Gadwall. Rathei a raie migrant
24. Mareea penelope. European Widgeon. A rare casual inigi int
Monroe marshes, several records.
25. Mareea Americana. Baldpate. Fairly common mignnt
26. Nettion earolinense. Green-winged Teal, Migiant much rarer
than formerly.
27. Quenjuedula discors. Blue-winged Teal. A tonimon duck dur
ing the migrations. A few pairs still breed in secludetl msishes
28. Spatula elypeata. Shoveller. A rare migrant about thi. larcst
of the local regular ducks.
29. Dafila a«uta. Pintail. Fairly abundant nngrint In tornier
years an occasional pair remained to breed.
30. Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. This species has greatly decreased in
numbers during late years. Still breeds in secluded marshes.
31. Marila Americana. Redhead. A common migrant; occasion-
ally breeds.
32. Jlarila valisineria. Canvas-back. Common migrant. Many re-
main during miid winters,
33. Marila marila. Scaup Duck. Common migrant ; lias occasion-
ally bred in former years.
34. Marila affinis. Lesser Scant Duck. Abundant during the mi-
grations ; occasionally a few pairs still remain and breed.
35. Marila collavis. Ring-necked Duck. Not common; migrant.
36. Clangula elangula Americana. Golden-ej'e, Common migrant,
and winter resident on Lake Erie,
37. Charitonetta albeola. Bubble-head. Abundant during the mi-
grations.
38. Harelda hyemalis. Old-squaw, Abundant from late fall to
early spring.
39. Somateria spectabilis. King Eider. A rare migrant, Lake Erie,
40. Oidemia Americana. Scoter, A rare migrant; only a few
records.
41. Oidemia deglandi. White-winged Scoter. Rather a regular but
not common migrant.
42. Oidemia perspicillata. Surf Scoter. A rare migrant.
43. Erismatura jamaicensis. Ruddy Duck. Fairly common mi-
grant; formerly bred in small numbers at St. Clair Flats, etc.
44. Chen hyperboreus hyperboreus. Snow Goose. Not common, mi-
grant, sometimes occurs in flocks of Canada geese.
45. Chen caerulescens. Blue goose. Migrant, very rare.
46. Anser albifrous gainbeli. White-fronted Goose. A rare mi-
grant.
47. Branta canadensis canadensis. Canada Goose. A common mi-
grant ; occasionally a few remain on the lake during mild winters.
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308 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
48. Olor columbianus. Whistling Swan. Migrant spring and fall,
not rare.
49. Olor buccinator. Trumpeter Swan. A very rare migrant.
50. Myeteria Americana. Wood Ibis. A vory rare casual visitor.
51. Botaurus lentiginosus. Bittern. A common summer resident.
52. Ixobryelius exilis. Least Bittern. Summer resident, abundant
in suitable marshes.
53. Ixobrychus neoxenus. Cory's Least Bittern. A very rare casual
visitor, three records.
54. Ardea herodias herodias. Great Blue Heron. Summer resident,
much rarer than formerly, still breeds in secluded localities.
55. Herodias egretta. Egret. Formerly a casual visitor.
56. Florida cternlea. Little Blue Heron. Casual visitor ; very rare.
57. Butorides vivescens vivescens. Green Heron. Fairly common
summer resident.
58. Nyeticorax nycticorax ntevius. Black-crowned Night Heron,
Summer resident, much rarer than formerly.
59. Grus Mexieana. Sandhill Crane. A former summer resident;
now very rare if not extinct, in Monroe county.
60. Rallus elegans. King Rail. Breeds in suitable localities; fairly
abundant.
61. RoUus Virginianus. Virginia Rail. A common summer resi-
dent in river and inland marshes.
62. Povsana Carolina. Sora. The most abundant rail ; breeds com-
monly ; is especially numerous during the fall migrations.
63. Coturnicops iioveboraeensis. Yellow Rail. A summer resident;
not common but probably more so than is generally known owing to its
secretive habits.
64. Gallinula galeata. Florida Gallinile. An abundant summer
resident. Locally sometime known as "rice bird."
65. Fuliea Americana. Coot. Common migrant ; a number remain
and breed. This is the familiar "mild hen" of the average gunner.
66. Phalaropus fulicarius. Red Phalarope. A rare migrant.
The Duck Family
The duck family as found in one of their favorite habitats in the
Monroe marshes and vicinity, is a large, and most interesting one.
There is probably no marsh in the country, except perhaps in the Chesa-
peake Bay where are found such ideal conditions for the propagation
of the canvas-back and redhead duck as in the waters of the Monroe
Marsh country of which more in another chapter. The habits and "cus-
toms" of various game birds form an interesting study, to the nature
lover, while it is almost a prime necessity to the sportsman, in fact, an
observing man will pick up more natural history that is reliable, in a
year intelligently passed in the personal study of living species, than
in groping amid the technicalities of books in a life time.
If you want to get information about ducks at first hand, go to the
man who is living among ducks, and sees 'them under all circumstances
and in all their phases of life.
The blue and green-winged teal are very spry birds; they can fly
side by side for one hundred miles, and close the race in a dead heat,
in an hour, without worrying much about it.
The wild goose is also an astonishingly swift flyer. It has a big heavy
body to carry, and to see it waddling along on the ground, you wouldn't
suppose it would not make much of a sensation on the wing ; but it glides
from one feeding place to another and cuts the air with a suddenness
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 309
that is very aggravating and trying to the nerves of even the beat of wing
shots. The "honkers" never fool away any time — their gait is swift.
The Wild Turkey and Its Ways
The wild turkey which was once so abundant in the northwestern
states, found in this county, along the river Raisin the natural conditions
for its home, and the numbers of this magnificent bird which delighted
the early settlers around Monroe was almost as great, relatively, as the
vast flocks of pigeons. In the early fall, and, in fact, all winter they
formed the staple article of food, and were greatly relished by all classes;
but like the Buffalo, and passenger pigeon tliey have yielded to the
destructive ingenuity of the white settlers, often wantonly exercised
and in places where they most numerously existed, are now very seldom,
if ever, seen, and are apparently on the verge of extermination. They
are, or a species of them are still found in abundance in the cotton states
of the south, where they feed upon the cotton seed of which they are
extravagantly fond, and upon which they fatten rapidly. But the flesh
is quite strongly flavored by the oil of this plant seed and which is very
much disliked by most, and sometimes rendered unfit for the table — a
striking contrast to the delightful flavor of the meat which is imparted
by the nuts and acorns and berries upon which the wild turkey of the
north subsists; although in the northern states they do not confine
themselves to any particular kind of food.
A writer who has been a close observer of the habits of game birds
and animals in Monroe county, in 1847-1856, has given us a very inter-
esting sketch of the habits of the Michigan wild turkey; "They eat
green corn, all sorts of berries, small fruits, some kinds of grasses, sorrel
as well as beetles and other insects, which are sometimes found in their
crops. I think, on the whole, that their preference is for the acorn,
which are always abundant on the ground in our oak forests in the sum-
mer and fall; they fatten very rapidly on these, and a very attractive
aromatic flavor is given to the meat, slightly bitter ; in October the males
associate in parties of from ten to a hundred, and seek their food apart
from the hens, whilst the latter either move about singly, or with their
young, then nearly two-thirds grown, or in company with other hens,
and tlieir families form troops, numbering sometimes seventy or eighty
individuals, all intent in avoiding the old males, who whenever oppor-
tunity offers attack and indulge in the reprehensible practice destroying
the young by repeated blows on the skull. All parties, however, travel in
the same direction, and on foot, unless they are obliged to seek individual
safety in flight from the hunter's dog, or where their march is inter-
rupted by a stream. Wlien about to cross a river of much size, they seek
the highest eminence, that their flight may be more certain, and here they
remain for a day or more, as if in consultation, or to be fully prepared
for the hazardous voyage. Early in March they begin to pair, and for
a short time previous, the females separate from and shun their mates,
though the latter persistently follow, and keep up their incessant gob-
bling notes. Diiring the ceremonious proceeding at this time, the males,
or gobblers, often encounter each other, when desperate battles between
rivals occur, which is often only terminated by the death or flight of
the vanquished. About the middle of April, the female turkey selects a
place in which to deposit her e^s, secured from the encroachment of
water, and skillfully concealed from view of human sight, as well as from
the watchful eye of the crow. The nest is built on the ground, either on
a dry ridge in the fallen top of a dead leafy tree under a thicket of
bushes, or by the side of a log. It is of simple structure, composed
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310 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
mostly of dried leaves and the eggs laid therein are deposited to the
number of ten, fifteen or twenty, which seems to be the maximum num-
ber. They are of a cream white, spotted with reddish brown, similar to
those of the domestic bird. The hen always approaches her nest with
great caution, generally by a roundabout course, seldom by the same
route, and on leaving her charge, is very careful to cover the whole with
dried leaves, with which she conceals it so skillfully, as to make it ex-
tremely difficult, even for one that has watched her movements, to indi-
cate the exact spot ; hence but very few are found, and these only by
driving the female from them, or by the appearance of broken shells
scattered by fox or crow who were more fortunate in getting there first.
The Indians valued this food very highly roasted or boiled, and called
it the "white man's dish."
The Bald-Headbd Eagle
"While this "monarch of the air," the emblematic bird of the United
States of America, cannot be claimed as common to Monroe county, nor
even a regular inhabitant of any part of the county, yet considerable
interest attaches to the yearly visits of a large and fine specimen of this
historic number of the falcon family to the south shores of La Plaisance
bay, where a huge forest tree was selected for its short visits, and where
a nest of characteristic size and workmanship was constructed among
the topmost branches and where for several years it was noted by ob-
servant frequenters of that region. He {or she) was not given to pre-
datory excursions into the neighboring farm yards or corn cribs, but
undoubtedly varied its fish or duck diet, by judicious selections from
the domestic fowls which temptingly and incautiously paraded before
the domicile of the keen watcher above them. The big elm and the huge
nest were objects of great interest to those who had discovered them, but
the bird was not molested, and appeared to feel very much at home in
her new domestic environments. The big tree was finally partially de-
stroyed by a heavy storm not many months since, and the visits of the
eagle terminated with the loss of her summer home. Once when sitting
on a broken limb of a tree not far from her own quarters she was suc-
cessfully photographed by an amateur, and the pictures were naturally
in great demand. Doubtless families of eaglets were bred there in that
big nest, and safely conveyed thence to wider scenes of activity, but
none was ever seen to leave it.
The Passenoer Pigeon
Older residents of Monroe county recall the time when this beautiful
bird eame into the woods bordering the streams in the county in countless
numbers; here they had "roosts" and remained for a week or moi'e in
September and October season, when scores of gunners and trappers
from the city and surrounding country-side swarmed in the woods armed
with every sort of gun and other form of deadly "weapon" and con-
tinued the onslaught so long as the birds remained, slaughtering them
by hundreds of thousands. The accounts which have been published
of the incredible numbers slain for market seem to the reader of today,
who was not familiar with the facts, like exa^erated Munchausen tales;
they naturally ask, if these stories of the uncountable numbers of this
bird are true, what has become of them and where have they mysteriously
and utterly disappeared to ? That is just what is agitating scores of men
more interested in the question than the mere questioner out of curiosity.
Scientists, sportsmen, ornithologists have spent time and money in the
vain pursuit of the solution of the mystery. Rewards running into tho\i-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 311
sands of dollars have been offered "for first information, exclusive and
confidential, of the location of a nesting pair or colony of passenger
pigeons anywhere in North America; when properly confirmed, and if
found by confirming party with parent birds and eggs, or young, undis-
turbed." Prof. C. F. Hodge of Clarke University, Worcester, Massa-
chusetts, has had a list of gentlemen published, who have kept standing
otifers of rewards amounting to thousands of dollars in the effort to secure
an intelligent search of the American continent for breeding pigeons in
the hope that if found, the species may be saved from extermination —
and yet not one claimant has reported ! Not a feather has been seen in
more than two years. Mr. Wm. B. Mershon, of Saginaw, has given a
large amount of time to the investigation of this mystery of the pigeon
and collected information from every possible source upon the subject
which forms the matter of a volume published by him in 1907, of unic^ue
interest. Monroe county, especially that part lying along the valley of the
Raisin, which was once densely wooded, was fifty years ago one of the
favored resorts of this famous bird. It usually arrived about the time of
fall seeding of wheat, and the newly sown fields would be literally covered
with the birds, nor would they leave until the last kernel was removed.
Of course this was a serious matter for the farmer, requiring re-seeding of
his wheat fields — which has been known to be repeated three times in one
season. When the birds would be disturbed in their feast by some
gunner, they would rise in clouds, and if a dead tree chanced to stand in
the field, they would settle upon it, until it seemed to be in full foliage !
Other sections of the state were even more densely peopled by this now
extinct bird, emd the tales that are related of their inconceivably enor-
mous numbers, their destructiveness and the war of extermination that
was waged by men and boys, hunter and trapper, day in and day out,
without perceptibly diminishing their numbers are almost unbelievable,
yet quite within the possibilities and facts. It appears that from 1860 to
1875, there existed an army of about five hundred men and their families,
in and about Oceana county, "pigeoners" by title and profession, who
did nothing but follow these hordes of birds from nesting place to
nesting place, trapping and netting them, old and young, in such numbers
as to surest at least one explanation of the ultimate disappearance if
not extinction of the species. In the year 1874, from the single nesting
place near Shelby, Michigan, it is a matter of record that there were
shipped one hundred carloads, daily for thirty days, making for that
one nesting, the astounding number of 309,000,000 birds, hut does not
include the lai^e numbers consumed by netters, their families and their
(four footed) pigs. (It was not unusual that porkers were fattened on
the young birds.)
Discarding entirely the masses taken for trap-shooting, wasted by
losses from heat, lack of cars, or other causes, and considering only
recorded shipments, taking the Shelby traffic as a normal one, and
allowing three nestings a year, for the ten years of organized slaughter,
there is accounted for the killing of no less than 9,270,000,000 passenger
pigeons. But a few years ago a few live birds were taken from Michigan
by Professor Whitman of Chicago, for the purpose of propagation, and
a few pairs were raised from these birds. They did not thrive, however,
outside their natural environments, and the wild life, and in 1910 only
two birds were left. The oldest of these birds attained the age of twenty-
six years. It is believed that one bird only, a female, survives, of this
beautiful and typical American game bird, which is now in the Zoological
Gardens at Cincinnati, Ohio.
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CHAPTER XXIV
NATURAL PRODUCTS
Early Tbiai-s of Agriculture — Soils and Subsoils — Fruit Growing
Favored — Old French Pear Trees — Farm Products^ Statistics
FOR 1910^Beet Sugar Industky— Timber Growth and Conserva-
tion— Improvement of Soils — Natural Gas and Oil — Minee,^l
Springs— Marl Beds — Farmers' Fences — General Statistics.
A keen appreciation of novelty, a readiness to adopt improved pro-
cesses, and the extensive application of machinery constitute tiie most
important elements of industrial successes in the twentieth century.
Conditions have undergone a wonderful change and maDy farming
methods of half a century ago are but a memory. The farming utensils
of that period are curios today, while the farm buildings, dwellings,
bams and cattle sheds reveal comfort, sanitary conditiong, convenience,
regard for the welfare of stoct that are a surprising evolution from the
conditions existing in the fifties, and make for the betterment of the
general communities.
The change does not stop here ; the telephone, rural free delivery
of the United States postal department, improved stone roads, automo-
biles, electric railroads, daily weather reports, circulating libraries, vast
improvements in educational facilities, all these have been added to
make the intelligent farmer's lot one to be envied rather than com-
miserated, and places him on the plane of his urban fellow citizens, in
many cases indeed above him in the contributory means for comfort,
rational enjoyment and intellectual improvement.
Early Trials op Agriculture
Monroe county is forttmate in the quality of its farming element of
population. The original settlers in the country about the River Raisin
and the small lakes and water courses and creeks were, as we know,
French, and they were a good, kind-hearted and industrious people,
though not having the same inclination to thorough farming and the
development of the new country as that class of pioneers who followed
them during the period before and after the admission of the state
info the Union, who came from the eastern and middle states.
Agriculture was not encouraged in this neighborhood in the early
days of the last century and no considerable grants of land were made
during the English possession, from 1760 to 1796. A few traders had
a substantial monopoly of the traffic in furs and with the Indians, and
they secured an equal monopoly in government influence. Instead of
encouraging the growth of a free and manly yeomanry lite that which
had made the other colonies prosperous and self reliant, an influential
number deliberately planned, as well as they could, to keep this whole
region from improvement. And, under the combined influences of
312
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY Sl'd
avarice and hate the time came when they did not hesitate to encourage
the extermination of civilized families to keep it as an asylum for sav-
ages and wild beasts. If the people of the district had all grown up
under the free system of English law, the monopolies must have been
shut out or controlled, and settlements would have been extended.
But when the traders found a state of things which favored their selfish
plans, they had no desire to change it. Michigan, as we know, was well
adapted for hunting and trapping. The traders and authorities in
their interest, desired to retain it as it was; and they were too far oi5f
from the seat of authority to be prevented from doing as they pleased,
with impunity. Men of the present day, or up to a comparatively recent
period can remember how, even in their manhood days, we were cut off
during the winter from all intercourse with the rest of the world, except
by means of the irregular mail arrangements that gave occasional
glimpses of things beyond, through the thickets of the "black swamps."
But early in the last century there were no railroads nor steamboats nor
canals, nor roads of any kind. There was complete isolation. The
woods were full of Indians, in the pay and friendship of Great Britain ;
and encouraged by the unscrupulous emissaries of some very unscrupu-
lous men to prevent American settlers and especially farmers from
coining north of Ohio, by slaying without mercy or compunction, men,
women and cliildren. The importance of gaining possession of Detroit,
and cutting off this malign influence was apparent to all of the public
men in this portion of the northwest, and Washington himself, at various
times, made efforts to bring it about.
(jeorge Rogers Clarke organized an expedition for that purpose, and
captured (jovemor Hamilton at Vineennes, whence he was sent to
Virginia in irons, as an offender against the rules of war, and as an
instigator of savage cruelties. Those few settlers who were scattered
along the River Raisin, the Huron, the Rouge or Ecorces, were ter-
ribly harassed by savages and found it difficult to do any farming —
scarce enough to raise supplies for their own families and animals.
It was certainly a discouraging outlook for the farmer, and not a few
utterly gave up the attempt, depending upon himting, fishing and
trapping for their food and upon the traders for flour and tea. Tea
must be bad at any cost !
Soils and Subsoils
The different townships have each their own characteristics of soil
and subsoils. (It is said, by the way, by our state geologist that there
is no sharp line of division to be drawn between soil and subsoil, but
by the latter term is commonly meant those loose deposits, which are
beyond reach in the ordinary process of cultivation, say from eight to
twelve inches deep.) The subsoil of Monroe county consists very largely
of clay, with more or less silica and iron gradually growing darker and
heavier towards the northwestern part of Milan. Without attempting
too fine a classification, it may be said that the farmers of Monroe
county have to deal with five types of soil, which possibly shade into
each other by imperceptible gradations ; sand, elay, loam, silt and muck.
The sand varies in different localities, in its commercial value, very
greatly; "building sand" in some localities, is of the best quality and
highly valued; in others, although it is used to some extent the "sharp"
characteristic is absent, it is practically valueless for the builders' use.
Sand and gravel, which are great belts of sand with limited patches of
gravel have been produced by the wave action of the various bodies of
water which covered the region after the withdrawal of the great ice
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314 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
sheet, of the gladal period. The beach ridge of sand was formed by
the action of the waves, wherever found. Its loose particles after dry-
ing, would be seized by the winds and gradually moved landward, until
the belt of sand would increase to a width of from tliree to seven miles
broad. This is seen (to a less extent) along the western shores of Lake
Erie, where a high, broad ridge intervenes between the waters of the
lake and the marsh. While the action just mentioned, was in progress
in the littoral or shore region of the lakes, the finer particles of sand
and alumina was taken in suspension and carried lakeward by the waves
and currents. This material would settle very slowly into the deeper
and quieter portions of the waters and from the clay deposit, covering
the bottom of the lake. The vegetable growth on the bottom of the
lake became imbedded in the clay and gave it a dark color. This deposit
would be thinner in the western, and thicker in the eastern part of the
country, where it covers the surface boulders. This clay is very sticky
when wet. The term loam is applied to a mixture of sand and clay,
which, owing either to the proportion of the ingredient, or to the siiie
of the constituent particles, is looser and less compact than clay itself.
"When wet it is not so sticky and upon drying does not bake and crack.
As the proportions of clay and sand differ, varieties are distinguished
which graduate into one another, and into other types of soil. Narrow
strips of this soil occur along the margins of the clay and sand belts
where the two have become mechanically mixed through the action of
wind and water.
When the plant food products are present it forms an ideal soil,
because of the ease with which it can be worked, and of its ability to
conserve just the proper amount of moisture for plant growth. The
fourth type of soil alluded to, is Silt; along the margins of all the
streams constituting their food plains is a deposit very similar in its
physical properties to loam. It differs from it, usually, in having a
much greater variety of material present, since it represents the surface
wash from all the regions drained by each particular stream. It is
distinctly stratified and contains the shells of both water and land
snails and other molluscs. Owing to its great fertility it supports an
abundant vegetation, which gives it a dark color. The larger streams
furnish the broader areas of this type of soil, and in some localities
dykes have been constructed around the fields to shut out the streams
completely, at times of flood. In composition the typical river silt con-
sists of 50 to 70 per cent of sand and about 10 per cent each of alumina
and organic matter, with varying quantities of iron, calcium magne-
sium, potash, soda and phosphorus. This general nature is shown by
two analyses, given below from the bottom lands of the Raisin, just
over the western boundary of the county at Deerfield. The first, (No.
1) analysis is of silt which bad been under cultivation for forty years
without artificial fertilization; the second (No. 2) represents "virgin
soil." The timber in both cases is ash, basswood, hickory, walnut and
oak.
Soils Cultivated Uncultivated
Sand and silicates 58.17 62,42
Alumina 6.48 10.64
Oxide of iron 7.62 3.42
Lime 1.92 2.10
Magnesia 1.43 1.59
Potash 1.84 2.05
Soda 1.20 1.19
Sulphuric acid 32 .24
Phosphoric acid 40 .41
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
Itlvated
Llnciiltlva
10.97
9.45
t9.39
6.08
Organic matter
Water
'Nitrogen .4^.
tXitrogen .37.
The fifth and last of the soils of Monroe county, alluded to, is muck,
to which the geological authorities and agricultural writers attach much
importance and of interest to our county. The following excerpt from
the Geological Report on Monroe county by Prof. W. H. Sherzer ably
discourses upon the matter in an interesting paper as follows: "One
characteristic of a glaciated region is the presence of innumerable basin
like depressions, in which spring and surface water may accumulate,
but from which it cannot readily escape, except by evaporation. Many
such spots are found in the sand belts, where the sand is thin and
underlain by clay. Small lakes are here formed in which plants, draw-
iiig their sustenance from the water and air, get a foothold and eventu-
ally add their remains to the soil of the bottom and margin. Coarse
varieties of moss presently start, which dying beneath and growing
above prepare a bed for the rushes, the water lilies, and the water-
living shrubs. Through the agency of water fowl animal life might
be introduced, the decay of which would furnish other ingredients to
the soil accumulation upon the bottom. Some clay and sand would
be washed in from the surrounding region, so that through all these
agencies the lake would be slowly filled and converted into a marsh.
New types of plant life would now find suitable conditions, the filling
process would continue ami a meadow finally result capable of cultiva-
tion. The black, spongy, caibonaceous mass resulting from the alter-
ation and partial preservation of the organic matter is cilled peat
when practically pure, tsuilh it is mixed with claj an! sand and is
then known as muck. It is rich m nitrogen and phosphorous but does
not contain sufficient bod\ to seive as a soil tor most plants The
total amount of such soil in the countv is not great although small areas
are numerous in certain regions. A cranbeiij marsh coveiing 112 acres
is located in the S. E. %, Sec. 24 of Summerfield township. This is
flooded in the spring, but is drained and later irrigated by numerous
wells, from which the water is pumped by windmills. An extensive peat
bed occurs in See. 9 of London township, 60 acres of which belong to
the Ilgenfritz Nursery Co., of Monroe. A crop of sphagnum, the moss
concerned mainly in the production of peat, is harvested from it each
season and used in packing about the roots of nursery stock for ship-
ment. It holds moisture well, is light and does not 'heat.' In 1838
Hubbard reported a soil of fibrous peat one to two feet thick as cover-
ing 18 section in Ida, 9 in Summerfield and 5 in Whiteford."
The failure of a soil to produce certain crops in not due necessarily
to the absence of essential constituents in available form, but may be
due to some physical disability. Some harmful ingredient may be pres-
ent in disastrous amount, as an acid in the case of muck.
Fruit Growinc Favored
The soils of Monroe county are rich in calcium carbonate, owing to
the prevalence of limestone in this county and to the north of it with
the favorable climatic conditions, the grape grows luxuriantly in such
soils and in a high degree of richness. One variety especially, the
Concord, appears to thrive better than most others, and it is grown
extensively in almost every township in the county, but more abun-
dantly in those lying along the River Raisin.
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316 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
With sueh a variety of soil and a favoring climate, conditions are
found suitable for the growth of other fruit besides the grape, but
the statistics of the State Agricultural Department show that in aver-
age years, the best fruit producing townships are in the southern part
of the county, notably Erie, Bedford, Whiteford, Raisinville.
This does not necessarily follow, however, as indicating special
natural advantages over some other townships; other considerations
may influence the published facts in certain years, and the efforts to
produce large crops of good fruit
It is probable that the nearness of the Toledo market stimulates the
grower in the townships contiguous to it. No doubt other townships
could make equally as good showing with intelligent handling of soils,
and selection of the best sorts of fruit popular in large city markets.
The natural conditions are favorable.
Old French Pear Trees
The earliest, French settlers upon the River Raisin brought with
them from Quebec, Montreal and other established communities along
the River St. Lawrence, from which so many of the earlier inhabitants
came, cuttings from the wonderful fruit trees of their forefathers in
Southern France and Lombardy. The pears and apples of that favored
land were the finest in size and most delicious in flavor of any in the
world. The old French pears were affectionately remembered for their
hardy growth and their prolific crops of luscious fruit. These found
a hospitable home along the banks of the Riviere aux Raisins and the
Riviere De Troit and for more than one hundred years their fame has
been much more than local. Giants in size among trees, they became
worthy children of noble sires, they sturdily withstood the rigorous
climate in their youth, they reached a vigorous old age. Year succeed-
ing year they have continued to yield abundant crops, delighting thou-
sands of the new and repeated acquisitions to the settlements and still
continue their beneiieent contributions to the multitude of things that
make life pleasant in the valley of the Raisin, and many of the trees
keep up a brave front after arriving at the venerable age of a hundred
and thirty years. No other name has ever been found for this tree.
"The old French pear" seems good enough and appropriate enough and
distinctive enough.
From notes which were prepared some years ago in connection with
the subject by the Honorable Edwin "Wiilitts, of Monroe, who was at
the time, president of the Michigan agricultural college, in which the
author of this work was also interested, an article was written which
excited very general interest and discussion. It treated the history of
this pear tree in Monroe, covering a period from 1784 to 1849, and up
to the present generation. The Francois Navarre farm as well as the
farms of Laeroix, Roberts, La Tour, Robert Navarre, La Salle, Caldwell,
and many others along the Raisin, boasted cither large orchards, or
small groups of these fine trees of great height and size. Many of these
are still standing. The writer in the summer of 1911, saw a row of
five thrifty trees on what was known as the old Robert Navarre farm
(now in the third ward), not, it is true, in their robust appearance of
their youth, but unmistakably shrinking in the lapse of years, and
after the buffeting of storms, yet as luxuriant in foliage as in their
lusty growth of younger days, and still exhibiting an astonishing virility
in the loads of fruit which ripened on their branches. One of these
trees was cut down soon after, necessitated by the opening through the
premises of a new street ; the concentric rings of the trunk indicated an
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 317
age of one hundred and twenty-eight years, confirming the belief that
they were among the first planted by the original settlers in Monroe. So,
also, in the yard of Miss Sawyer, whose premises, covering nearly a
block, once formed a part of the Francis Navarre farm, having been
inelnded in the large grant 'of land from the Indians of the Pottawot-
tamie tribe, mostly in consideration of their great friendship, there re-
mained until recently the remnant of a once flourishing pear orchard.*
Among the trees planted soon after the close of the war of 1812, upon
the return of the refugees to their old homes, and the arrival of new
settlere, there were a few standing in the garden of Judge "Warner
Wing, now the Wilder place ; others in the old Colonel John Anderson
lot, once owned by Talcott E. Wing, now occupied by the fine home of
Mr. Theodore Ilgenfritz ; in the Dansard lot, which was formerly the home
of Honorable Robert McClelland, the ninth governor of Michigan, and
secretary of interior, in the cabinet of President Franklin Pierce, who
then resided in Monroe; others on the premises of the old Macomb
street house; of Dr. Harry Conant, and of the Cole homestead. After-
wards, scores of the young trees and seedlings were brought from their
original homes on the farms along the river, the Labadie, the Roberts,
the Navarre's and others, and started on their new life in various parts
of the city as well as on farms west ,and south, further up the river.
Many of these trees measured, at the time the data alluded to was gath-
ered, eight feet four inches in circumference at a height of four feet
from the ground. These particular trees were set out by Stephen Down-
ing soon after 1812. A singular circumstance in regard to the career
of these trees now spoken of is related. They, at one time, appeared to
be dying from some unknown cause, but were saved by a heroic remedy
as strange as it was accidental. Mr. Downing's people were one summer
accustomed to making ice cream under the shade of these trees, and
the salt and melted ice used in the process were thrown upon the ground
around the roots. The progress of decay was at once arrested, new
life seemed to be imparted to the fading foliage, and the whole tree
became in a short time restored to perfect health and vigor.
On the premises of the late Caleb Ives, now included in the St. Mary's
Church property, were two huge trees of the 1812 epoch, which were
planted by Jacques La Salle, the trunks of which measured over seven
feet in circumference. Another large tree of the same family stood on
the farm of Samuel M. Bartlett, three miles south of Monroe. It was
a fine specimen and greatly admired for its stately beauty. It was
blown over during a heavy gale in 1849, and found to be sound to the
heart. Mr. Bartlett counted eighty-five concentric rings indicating its
age at that time of eighty-five years. On the farm of George Wakefield
in Eaisinville, a short distance west of Monroe, stood a grand old tree
more than eighty years old, and there were evidences that an extensive
pear and apple orchard existed there as long ago as 1796. In 1876, one
of those trees yielded thirty-five bushels of excellent apples. The old
apple orchards do not appear to have survived in their pristlfae beauty
and fruitfulness. Most of them have passed away, doubtless from
neglect, and very few ragged and unlovely ones are now seen.
'Farm. Products
In the production of the staple farm products, Monroe county ranks
well, both as to the number of bushels produced, and the average yield
* A row of these famous old pear trees is shown in the small illustration (see
p. 14) similar to those which stood in the yard of the Col. Francis Navarre house,
removed some years ago.
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318 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
per acre ; the heavier soils being well adapted for the complete develop-
ment of cereals. Some favored localities are capable of yielding thirty
to fifty bushels of wheat to the acre, yet the average yield is but little
over half that amount. In 1898 for instance, the average for the whole
county was a fraction over twenty-one bushels, when Erie township was
at the head of the list with nearly twenty-five bushels. In 1897, the
average was 20.80 bushels, giving Monroe county sixth place in this state,
having eighty-three counties reporting. The author has the tabulated
statistics for 1898, the latest obtainable, which will indicate a fair
average of Monroe county farm products ;
Corn
Wheat Bushels Oats Potatoes
Township Soil Bushels Shelled Bushels Bushels
Ash Clay, sand 50,072 78,805 64,947 10,299
Bedford Sand, clay 42,113 85,642 59,892 78,896
Berlin Clav 23,097 41,127 33,304 2,265
Dundee Clay, sand, silt. .. 75,000 175,000 210,000 2.000
Erie Clav, sand 56,641 78,201 50,633 14,352
Exeter Clay, sand 51,936 77,363 63,430 10,346
Frenchtown..Clay, sand 64,621 110,832 84,675 15,157
Ida Sand, elay 58,649 101,305 70,733 42,873
La Salle Clay, sand 60,522 121,450 59,825 15,703
London Sand 33,656 64,136 48,256 22,029
Milan ..Clay 54,159 110,600 67,715 9,414
Monroe Clay, sand, silt. . . 32.923 51,425 34,988 8,449
RaisinviUe. .. Clay, sand, silt. . . 87,745 140,930 96,842 19,633
Summerfield-.Sand 42,890 106,245 52,474 59,930
■Whiteford. ..Clay, sand 59,133 135,825 92,627' 60,656
Totals 793,157 1,478,886 1,089.381 372,002
In various townships of the county there were also produced 17,826
bushels of rye, 1,743 bushels of beans, 912 bushels of clover and 47.125
tons of hay.
The county produces annually, approximately, about one million
bushels of wh'eat, one million five hundred thousand bushels of shelled
corn, and one million two hundred and fifty thousand bushels of oats.
The sand belts furnish desirable conditions for growing potatoes, and in
the sand loam sections, they are of the very finest quality and often
sell at fancy prices ; beans and buckwheat also are successfully raised in
the townships where the sandy soil is conspicuous. The experiment has
been tried of raising sweet potatoes which would seem to find favorable
conditions here, but the result has been discouraging. Hubbard squash
has been a profitable product, and large shipments have been made to
eastern markets. Some remarkable crops of this vegetable have Iwen
reported. In the township of Bedford not long since, three-fourths of
an acre of heavy sand yielded twelve tons of this squash.
Marsh land in irregular patches, has been utilized to some extent in
the cultivation of cranberries, celery and peppermint. The late Morrison
Paulding, a few years ago, engaged in the business of peppermint raising
and distilling the oil on a tract of muck and sand, at a time when the price
of this herb and its oil was very high, and the demand good. Mr. Pauld-
ing's experience at the beginning was very encouraging, but after a few
years, a combination of untoward eireum stances rendered it unprofitable
and the enterprise was discontinued. The cultivation of celery has been
attempted here in the vicinity of Monroe and Dundee by truck farmers,
and excellent qualities have been raised, and found a ready market.
The rapid development of the beet-sugar industry in Michigan, has
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 319
created a demand for a new crop, for which Monroe county soil and
climate is well adapted. The ideal belt for growing sugar beet seems
to be, so far as temperature is concerned, determined by the summer iso-
thermal line, where a mean temperature of seventy degrees Fahrenheit
prevails. This line cuts diagonally across the county from southeast to
northwest, and the entire county lies between the summer isotherms
of 69° and 71°. The season opens early and the rainfall is sufficient for
all requirements of the growing crop. Wiley, the American authority
upon the subject, says: "In general, any soil which will give good
crops of the cereals and other farm products, will produce good
sugar beets." llonroe county produces two hundred and twenty-
five to three hundred acres of beets according to the land commissioners.
The price for beets varies somewhat in the state depending upon the
amount of the saccharine contained and some other conditions. The
price through the state representing the farmers profits has been for
some years about $56 to $58 per acre, of which it is estimated about one-
half is net profit to the grower.
Statistics foe 1910
The following figures are taken from the United States census report
of April 15, 1910.
All farm property, value $27,925,016
All farm property in 1900 17,694,164
Per cent increase 1900-1910 57.8
Cattle :
Total number 29,343
Dairy cows 17,532
Other cows 1,941
Yearling heifers 3,640
Calves 3,830
Yearling steers and bulls 1,053
Other steers and bulls 1,347
Value $ 867,026
Horses ;
Total number 13,96)
Mature horses 12,688
Yearling colts 1,006
Spring colts 267
Value $ 1,513,208
Swine :
Total number 39,274
Mature hogs 21.236
Spring pigs 18,038
Value $ 290,942
Sheep:
Total number 17,737
Bams, ewes and wethers 11,611
Spring lambs 6,126
Value $ 71,263
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820 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Poultry and bees :
Number of poultry of all kinds 328,490
Value $ 185,359
Number of colonies of bees 2,122
Value $ 6,211
Farm and Field Products Acres Bushels
Com (shelled) 58,008 2,059,087
Oats 48,237 1,642,424
Wheat 21,350 519,749
Barley 2,608 66,220
Buckwheat 2,865 42,868
Rye 4,992 75,330
Clover seed 2,023
Beans 103 1,261
Peas 190
Potatoes. . 5,414 472,718
Hay and forage 107.158 145,520
Beet Sugar Industry
The following extract from "Progress of the Beet Sugar Industry,"
by C. F. Taylor, seems to offer great encouragement to those engaged
Id this branch of agriculture; "Thirty- four samples were received from
the State of Michigan, showing a fine average weight, a satisfactory
content of sugar, and a high purity. The results of the experimental
work in Michigan last year were of such an encouraging nature as to
justify the establishment of beet-sugar factories in Bay City, Laurin,
Dundee, Owosso, Saginaw, etc. Other factories are now building, and
Michigan gives promise of becoming a strong rival to California in beet-
sugar production. Evidently all parts of the state are capable of pro-
ducing high-grade beets, and the climatic and soil conditions are
extremely favorable. The data of this and previous years show beyond
question that Michigan is one of the best states of the Union for sugar-
beet culture."
Timber Growth and Conservation
The general subject of Forestry and Forest Growth, has, in these
days of vanishing timber supply, greater direct and general interest
than at any previous period. The old and fallacious sentiment that the
forest supply was inexhaustible, has received a decided shock, and the
rapidly diminishing of the great forests in our land has awakened a
feeling of apprehension, if not of alarm, which is responding to the
activities of the nation in forest conservation. The former erroneous
belief that the great pine forests reproduced themselves is now obsolete.
It is a singular circumstance that no large growth of pine ever fol-
lows a denudation of timber lands from any cause, fire, flood or axe-
men, but instead, a growth of scrub oak, poplar or dwarf pine springs
up. This has been explained in various theories. The author has been
greatly interested in this phenomenon, and has investigated it in various
directions. He recently addressed a letter of inquiry to the Forestry
Division of the Agricultural Department of Washington, in the pur-
suit of information on this point, and received the following reply :
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 321
"United States Department op Aokiculture, Forest Service,
Washington, D. C, November 2, 1911.
"Mr. John M. Bulkley, First National Bank Bldg., Monroe, Mich.
"Dear Sir: — Your letter of October 25th to Mr, Maxwell has been
referred to this office for reply. The usual explanation of the succession
of pine by various hardwoods after a fire is that the hardwoods sprout
rapidly from the roots while the pines, of course, do not. The scrub oaks
are especially prolific in sending up root shoots in this way when the main
stem has been killed, and the poplars and other hardwoods also repro-
duce themselves in the same way. This, of course, gives the hardwoods
a start over the pine, which, however, often seeds in from neighboring
trees when any of them are left standing after the fire. Poplar and
paper bireh also frequently come in after fires from seed. The seed of
both of these trees is very light and is often blown to great distances
so that burned areas are not infrequently taken complete possession
of by them. In almost every case, however, where the balance of nature
has been destroyed by fire, there is a succession of types if the land is
protected, and the trees naturally best suited to the situation eventually
succeed in re-establishing themselves.
"Very truly vours,
"S. T. Dana,
"Acting Chief of Silvics. "
We have the authority of Prof. Sherzer for the statement that the
character and distribution of the timber is determined directly by the
nature and distribution of the soils which we have described. Upon our
heavy clay are found oak, ash, elm, beech, hickory, black walnut, maple
whitewood, and along the water courses, sycamore. A notable belt of
hickory about a mile wide by two or three in length extended originally
in a northeast and southwest direction in the township of Milan, which
district furnishes most of the beech found in the county. It has been
noted that the regions of heaviest sand have but a scanty growth of
timber, which consists for the most part of yellow, white and burr-oak
— these form what are called the "oak openings." In the swampy
regions "popple" or eottonwood and tamarack are common. North of
the River Raisin chestnut is abundant, on the sand belts, and is found
northward as far as Wayne county. It is a somewhat remarkable fact
that this tree is seldom found south of the river, even upon the same
class of soil and in similar environments, the Riiisin apparently con-
stituting a barrier to the southern progress of this tree.
Prof. C. F. Wheeler of the Michigan Agricultural College noted in
1890 the following long list of trees found in this county, which is a
most interesting contribution to the statistics of our history.
Acer dasycarpum Silver maple.
A, rubrum Red maple.
A. saccharinum Sugar maple.
A. saccharinum, var. nigrum. . . .Black maple.
Aesculus glabra Ohio buckeye.
Asimina triloba Papaw.
Amelanehier Canadensis Shad-bush.
Betula papyracea Paper birch (rare) .
Carpinus, Americana Tronwood.
Carya alba Shagbark hickory.
C. amara Bitternut.
C. poreina Pignut.
C. sulcata -Big shell bark hickory.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
a sativa. var. Americana. Chestnut.
Celtis occidentalis IIa(;kberry.
Cercis Canadensis Red bud.
Comus florida Dog wood.
Cratt^us coceinea Red haw.
C. eoccinea, var. mollis Red haw.
C. crus-galli Coekspur thorn,
C. tomentosa Black thorn,
Fagus f erruginea Beeeh.
Fraxinus Americana White ash,
P, sambueifolia _ Black ash.
Gleditsehia triaeanthos Honey locust,
Hamamelis Virginiana Witch hazel.
Juglans einerea Butternut.
J. nigra Walnut.
Lirodendron tulipifera White wood.
Moras rubra Red mulberry.
Negundo aeeroides Box elder.
Nysa multiflora Sour gum.
Ostrya Virginica Water beech.
Platanus oeeidentalis Sycamore.
Populus balsamifera Balsam poplar.
P. grandidentata Large toothed aspen.
P. monilifera Cottonwood.
P. tremuloides Aspen.
Prunus Americana Wild plum.
P. serotina Wild black cherry,
P. Virginiana Choke cherry.
Quercus alba White oak,
Q. bicolor Swamp white oak.
Q. coceinea var. tinctoria Black oak.
Q, raacrocarpa Burr oak.
Q. palustris Pin oak.
Q. rubra Red oak.
Rhus glabra Smooth sumach.
Salix amygdaloides Western black willow.
S. nigra Black willow.
Sassafras officinale Sassafras.
Tilia Americana Basswood,
TJlmus Americana White elm.
V. fulva Slippery elm.
I '. racemosa Corky white elm.
Improvement op Soils
The subject of amelioration of soils is so important to the farmer
that it should not be omitted from our pages because it possesses value
greater than the mere tabulated results of observation.
Until the unwelcome truth is forced upon their attention probably
most farmers look upon their land as an inexhaustible source. of wealth,
requiring only so much sunshine and moisture and so many hours of
physical labor. Their farms to them are like the mythical ben which
laid golden eggs without having to be fed upon bullion. In a state of
nature the materials drawn from the soil by vegetation are sooner or
later returned to it, with a high rate of interest in the form of organic
matter. It is impo^ible for this to occur when the land is under culti-
vation, otherwise there would be no advantage in such cultivation, A
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 323
drain upon the soil is at once started, the nature and amount of which
depends upon the care and attention exercised by the farmer himself,
who must understand that no business on earth will successfully run
itself, nor will nature or natural laws operate to the benefit of mankind
unless they are intelligently studied and an effort made for co-operation.
In the southern part of Summerfield township the late Mr. Ezra
Lockwood observed that his usually sandy soil had been very much
improved through the agency of crayfish. These creatures, it seems,
constructed long subterranean passages about an inch in diameter and
many feet in length, iinally terminating at the surface. Over this sur-
face entrance to the tunnel they frequently built up a chimney of clay,
for which it is difficult to assign any particular use, unless it could be
the accumulation in removing the soil excavated or for ventilation. A
considerable number of burrowing animals exercise a similar effect,
cases of which have been noted by observers in passing through wooded
sections of the county, which were known to have been produced by
gophers, woodehucks, muskrats, moles, rabbits, mice, etc., all of which,
with some birds, excavate burrows, mix the soil and subsoil and intro-
duce beneath the surface more or less organic matter. This is a very in-
teresting study as connected with Mr. Lockwood 's observations.
Mr. Ezra L. Lockwood was an extensive and prosperous farmer liv-
ing for many years upon a farm in the township of Dundee. He was a
native of Connecticut, and came to Michigan in 1850. He, in connection
with Mr. M. Parker, owned and operated a water power and mills on
the River Raisin in 1855. He was one of the most highly respected
citizens of the county. He was the father of Ex-Judge Harry A. Lock-
wood, now living in Detroit.
Natural Gas and Oil
Considerable interest has, in the past, been aroused in the county,
at various points, on the subject of natural illuminating and fuel gas and
petroleum, in the hope and expectation that a valuable industry might be
developed and form no inconsiderable part of the economic products
of the county. The foundation for this was the scientific investigation
of the conditions under the supervision of the Michigan Geological
Survey. The report by this board was exhaustive and important. It
brought disappointment to people living in townships whose hopes ran
high, and offered encouragement to others. As a paper of present and
future value, an extract from it is given below: "Covering the north- ■
western part of Monroe county, there was an area over which there are
strong surface indications of oil and natural combustible gas. This
area covers Milan, London, Dundee, Western Raisinville, nearly all of
Summerfield, and the northwestern corner of Ida townships. The oil
impregnates the rocks, and forms a scum over the water of ponds,
streams and wells, giving off sometimes a very offensive odor. The gas
bubbles up through the water, sometimes in a continuous stream, but
usually only as occasional bubbles. Still more of it escapes into the air
without being noticed. When found abundant in wells it burns when
ignited, giving a hot but not luminous flame. It has, comparatively,
but little odor, which distinguishes it from the offensive hydrogen sul-
phide gas found in wells imparting to the water the odor of very bad eggs.
There is not necessarily any connection between this surface gas and oil,
and the deeper seated deposits so eagerly sought for by means of deep
borings since both may have been separately produced. At ten different
places in the county deep wells have been drilled at heavy expense with
the hope that some such deposits would be discovered as those which
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324 . HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
made northwestern and eastern Ohio famous. Six of these wells have
penetrated the Trenton limestone, the productive horizon in Ohio, but
without adequate returns. From data, thus obtained, it is apparent, now,
why these wells have failed and there can be no justification for further
expenditure to secure oil and gas from the Trenton_ within the limits of
Monroe county. Upon this interesting subject of gas and oil, Professor
"W. H. Sherzer, of the Geological Survey, writes:
"Gas and oil have had a common origin which is now generally be-
lieved to have been from the decomposition of organic matter, animal
or vegetable, or botli, which was originally deposited in the sedimentary
rocks. There is a divergence of opinion as to whether the gas and oil
were produced from the original partial decay of the organic matter at
the time of its deposition, or later as a product of slow spontaneous dis-
tillation. Probably the view that now receives widest acceptance is "that
these products have resulted from the decomposition of organic matter,
at normal temperatures, either at the time the rocks were formed or later.
The oil and gas may still be associated with the original beds in which it
was formed or it may have escaped upward until its progress was arrested
by impervious beds of suitable shape to confine it. In case no such beds
existed it would escape to the surface and be lost. As might be expected
from their method of formation limestones and shales would be the only
beds with which any considerable amount of oi^anic matter would be
associated and in such beds oil and gas are believed to have originated.
The organic matter of limestones was in the main of animal origin and
gave rise to a dark heavy offensive oil containing a relatively large
quantity of sulphur and nitrogen. It is oil of this nature that is found
in Ohio and western Ontario. Oil derived from shale is in the main of
vegetable origin and is lighter in color, contains less sulphur and nitro-
gen and has not the offensive odor of the limestone oils. Most of the oils
of the Pennsylvania region are of this nature. Fissured limestones, sand-
stones and conglomerates serve as reservoirs for oil and gas, usually
with an arched capping of shale. Where salt water, oil and gas all occur
they are arranged in the order of their specific gravities; the gas
would first be reached in the boring, would escape, give place to oil
eventually and lastly to salt water. It is thus apparent why the crests
■of anticlines and of domes are so productive of oil and gas and why
the slopes may prove barren, or yield a small quantity of oil or salt
water only."
Mineral Spkings
The mineral springs which numerously abound in the county, are of
special interest among the economic products, in coDoection with the
topic of artesian wells. It has been found that three belts of artesian
water strike across the county in a northeast and southwest direction—
an eastern, a central and a western belt. Within these areas, where the
rock is penetrated a short distance, the water generally rises to the sur-
face and flows, thus saving the expense of windmills and the trouble of
pumping for stock and for irrigation. This water is very generally
charged with compounds of calcium, magnesium, iron and sulphur, de-
rived from the limestone, dolomite and shale through which it has passed.
The iron and sulphur are derived from the decomposition of the pyrite
and marcasite, which are very commonly present in these rocks. Hydro-
gen sulphide gas produced which is readily absorbed by the water to
which it imparts the odor of very ancient eggs. Upon exposure to the
air, this gas is decomposed and the sulphur is precipitated as a white
mealy precipitate over troughs, stones and vegetation. When in quan-
tity, and after standing, it begins to assume a slight sulphur yellow
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 325
color. Tlie iron present in the water mostly as a carbonate and upon
standing it it oxidized and deposited as a yellowish brown coating over
objects, this being the hydrated oxide. This is soluble in water and is
readily distinguished by its color, from the sulphur. A number of wells
of this character are met with in the county although the water of a
given locality usually contains one or the other of these substances
alone. In some instances artesian water is derived directly from sand
and gravel layers in the drift and is reported as soft. Continued drouth
makes no perceptible impression upon many of these wells while with
others the flow may be reduced and almost or quite stopped. The
opening of new wells lias been found to affect the flow of others in
the neighborhood and the areas over which artesian water may be
secured are becoming more and more contracted. Wells which formerly
flowed in the southern part of Erie township, three miles back from the
lake, have now ceased, although the water rises to near the surface. The
opening of the Woolmith quarry in Exeter township had a noticeable
effect upon the water in the wells to the southeast. The deep well to the
eastern part of the eity of Monroe so seriously interfered with the action
of wells in other parts of the eity that it at one time had to be plugged.
The most western artesian area covers nearly the northwestern half of
Milan township, to the west of Arkona Beach. It is a portion of a belt
which extends from Lenawee county northeastward into Washtenaw
county. The artesian water is derived from the rock and from layers
of the drift which varies in thickness from one hundred to one hundred
and fifty feet. The water does not always flow throughout this entire
area, lacking nine feet of reaching the surface in Milan village. The
water rises from a few inches above the surface to fourteen feet at
Thomas Welch 's, as observed in 1899. The middle or central belt con-
sists of three detached patches extending in a northeast direction across
the county; Bedford township just east of Lambertville, contains a
narrow area about three miles long by half a mile broad. The highest
rise noted is five to six feet on claim No. 472, south River Raisin. The
eastern artesian belt lies near the lake shore and consists of four
detached areas, one small one in eastern Erie, a second near the inouth
of the Raisin and extending southwestward into Erie, a third in eastern
Berlin and a fourth irregular one in Ash township.
At the Greening nurseries south of Monroe, the water reaches the
surface with force sufficient to supply sprinklers and when compelled
to do so will rise twelve feet. Eastward, on the Lotus Hotel grounds
at Monroe Piers, there are two flowing wells which will rise
twenty feet above the surface or twenty-five above the lake level. The
water of the wells in this lake region is mildly charged with sulphur or
iron (seldom both) and is quite palatable and found very satisfactory
for domestic uses. The heaviest flow of artesian water known in this
part of the state was struck in September, 1899, upon the south bank
of Otter creek, about two and a half miles from La Salle, on the prop-
erty of Edward Sharkey, six miles south of Monroe. The well is
fifty-one feet deep and extends six to eight feet into the rock, having
been drilled with a three inch drill. Water was struck on September
4th, and began to flow, moderately at first, and then with great strength.
A wooden pump-stock was driven into the hole and projected four
feet above ground. Through this the water was thrown with force and
to a considerable distance, latterly through ten one and one-half inch
holes bored in the side. Thus prevented from escaping freely the water
began to rise through the clay around the mouth of the well and at a
distance of twenty-five to thirty feet from it, forming a shallow lake
about one hundred feet across. By this time Mr. Sharkey became
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■326 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
alarmed for the safety of his house and the pump-stock was withdrawn,
an eight inch pipe being inserted in its place. At the time of the
writer's visit a very rapid stream two feet broad and four inches deep
was flowing from the well to Otter creek.
Within these artesian areas not infrequently natural openings have
been made to the surface through which the water escapes and flows as
a mineral spring. These are more common in the central and eastern
part of the county, back from the river to a distance of two to three
miles. Some of them sometimes occur outside of the artesian areas,
for instance the sulphur springs near the foot of Ottawa lake upon the
farms of Harmon Branch and "William Bell. A strong natural flow
of sulphur water, with some iron, occurs at Christopher Nichols' claim
685, south River Raisin. This would fill a five inch pipe and is but
slightly affected by drought, never drying up. Upon land belonging
to Catherine Sorter, claim 673, south River Raisin, there is a strong
sulphur spring which feeds Sulphur creek. This has been known to
stop flowing but twice, in 1875 and 1895,
South of Monroe, one and three-fonrths miles, is located the once
celebrated "Shawnee Spring," upon claim 160, south River Raisin,
just east of the Michigan Central tracks. From 1860 to 1879 or 1880, the
place secured some note as a resort. The water is said to retain prac-
tically the same temperature throughout the year and to he unaffected
by drought. An examination of the water was made in 1864 b.v Prof.
S. H. Douglass, then of the University of Michigan, who reported that
the water contained free carbonic acid, magnesia, and abundance of lime,
chlorides and sulphates and that hydrogen sulphide would probably be
found in the water at the spring. 'The spring has formed a large mound
of sphagnum moss and calcareous tufa over five hundred feet across
and eight to ten feet high, through which the water escapes by numerous
mouths. Quite large masses of this tufa are loose in the field and ledges
of it occur in position. The water tastes and smells of hydrogen sul-
phide and is depositing sulphur. Similar springs are found on other
farms in the vicinity notably one on the Peter Cousineau farm, near the
Sharkey well, described. Another larger spring occurs in the marsh near
Erie, {Vienna}. It can be reached by boat, by punting half a mile
through a natural channel.
The Marl Beds
The mari beds of Monroe county are not very numerous nor exten-
sive. The largest deposit known occurs on claim 422 north of La
Plaisance creek, two and one-half miles south of Monroe, with an area
of six to eight acres, there is a layer of black spongy muck, containing
many fossil shells. Beneath this is found a bed of marl varying in
thickness from one to three feet. The marl is so free from grit that,
after washing, it has been found to produce a good polishing powder
for gold, silver, nickel, brass, etc. . It was boxed and sold for this pur-
pose some years ago under the name Paragon Polishing Powder, being
prepared by the La Plaisance Manufacturing Co., of Monroe, of which
John M. Bulkley was president and Robt. Flemming, secretary. This
novel use for the marl was found to be very successful and a large busi-
ness was built up and afterwards sold to P. H. Mathews, Esq., who con-
ducted a fine business for a few years, but finally closed it out. The marl
contains some shell but appears to have been in the main precipitated
from the water of a small lake charged with lime carbonate. Such a
deposit may now be seen in process of formation over the bottoms of
the series of lakes through which the Huron river flows in "Washtenaw
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 327
county. Upon claim 161, about one mile west of the Asam deposit at
the place of Eli P. Duval, there is said to be a black deposit with white
clay. The latter is undoubtedly marl and a similar reference to a ten
inch layer of "whitish dirt" was obtained at W. J. Kelley's, claim
520, South Otter creek, where it is overlain by two and one-half feet
of yellow sand and one foot of black sand. Beneath the sand layer is
one foot of jellowish white cla\ one and one-half inch^ of gravel and
then common ela^ to the ro(.k Judging from these deposits we have
here a former lake site 4t the cranberry marsh (S. E. ^4. Sec. 24,
Summerfield) more or le'!& marl occurs, but the maximum thickness is
said to be but six or eight inches. It is quite probable that thicker
deposits occur towards the center of the marsh, possibly of consider-
able extent In his earh report Hubbard reported marl as occurring
on Sec. 7 of Eteter and Sec 4 of Ash township. A very extensive
marsh occurs m bcL •) of London and probably contains marl beneath
the surface.
Faemeb's Fences <
"Abraham Lincoln as the champion rail-splitter would have little
opportunity for the exercise of his prowess today," said the twentieth
century farmer of Monroe county, "for the reason that the rail -splitting
days are over." The old stake-and-rider fence which played a con-
spicuous part in the development of this country in the way of hard
work and backaches is now a thing of the past.
Time was when rail-splitting was a profession with the husky farmers'
sons. The scarcity of timber, and the waste of land by the old "worm"
fence have changed this. Then came the wire fence, with occasional
wooden posts, and digging post holes became a real art. Now, in this
"concrete" age wooden posts are disappearing because of the expense
and the progressive farmers are using wire fences with concrete posts,
and the pouring of cement is one of the fine arts.
General Statistics
Average
Area in acres Acres in farms size of
Supervisors'
Township assessment. Improvement Unimproved farms acres
Ash 22,485.99 13,818 3,877 251 70
Bedford 25,100.35 15,455 4,153 291 67
Berlin 22,334.17
Dundee 29,828.48
Erie 18,356.15
Exeter 22,811.79
Frenchfown 29,425.23
Ida 23,409.75
La Salle 16,109.55
London 22,596.91
Milan 22,506.63
Monroe 13,271.07
Raisinville 29,757.34
Summerfield ....26,193.68
Whiteford 25,984.80
Totals 350,171.89 209,945 55,059 3,626 73
Total valuation of farms, (supervisors estimate) citv and
county $17,906,640
Population of county, as per last census 32,917
Acres
iroveineiil
in farms
N
Unimproved
umber
farms
13,818
3,877
251
15,455
4,153
291
7,326
2,387
5»
20,000
9,000
66,S
11,960
505
iha
14,975
4,166
266
18,629
3,115
261
14,768
4,122
261
12,638
2,307
183
10,777
4,480
2U1
12,239
1,510
161
7,328
1,980
116
19,908-
3.587
245
13.669
5,367
223
16,455
4,503
291
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CHAPTER XXV
OLD BOADS AND TRAILS
The Old- Time Concord Coach — Monroe Coaches and Routes — The
' ' Taverns" — Main Traveled Roads — Famous Stage Drivers —
Pioneer Roadside Tavern— Troublous Days op Travel — "United
States Hotel" — ' ' Murphy House" — Macomb Street House —
Mails and Mail Carriers.
The era of stage coaeli traveling and its incidents has been invested
with so great a fascination and the lapse of time has robbed it of so
little of the half romantic and wholly interesting tales of the old
regime, the "good old times," when our forebears fondly believed that
all the comforts and most of the luxuries of the civilized world were
theirs, that the charm still clings to the memories of them, as the vine
to the tree, as a fond recolleetion.
The Old- Time Concord Coach
The old Concord coach will remain like the Plymouth rock an estab-
lished and unremovable institution in Amenean history, with all its
accompanying glories of dashing teams of four and six well-bred horses,
their showy caparisoning and rattling chains — driven with marvellous
skill by the knights of the ancient and honorable guild of self-respecting
drivers, is equally firmly fixed in the mind — not forgetting the
polished metal horn or key bugle, long and sonorously blown to signal
the progress of the pageant through village and hamlet and its sensa-
tional arrival at the doors of wayside inns and taverns — these remain a
glorified spectacle of the pest, as we lift the curtains of two centuries
to view the panorama in which our ancestors moved; always are we
affectionately leaning towards the old roads and trails.
MoxROE Coaches and Routfs
It is not so far a cry either, from the old stage coach days of New
England to those experiences along the same lines in the west, at the
opening of the last century. Monroe, the first stopping point in the
undeveloped west, had her coaches and coach routes, and her old taverns
that eared for the wants and comforts of the traveling public and the
settlers moving nearer to the sunset land, who must certainly have needed
all the comforts that could be afforded in their tedious and sometimes
dangerous journeyings to and fro through the miry roads and over the
perilous bridges and swollen streams in those wilderness days. As early
as 1836 a daily line of stages was established between Monroe and Ann
Arbor, and duly announced in the Monroe Sentinel of that year:
328
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HISTORY OF MONEOE COUNTY 329
"Daily J.i.n'e
nmente on the 1st of June, next, a daily
!J Ann Arbor.
"Orangb Risden,
"Thos. Farrincton.
"Monroe, Feb. 6th, 1836."
(Both names almost forgotten now).
The "Taverns"
This route lay through a most pleasant region amid the noble hard-
wood forests and the oak-openings— over the Lodi pJains, and along the
winding streams — the wooded banks of the River Raisin. Tlie taverns
were not numerous nor spacious, hut sufficient in both respects, to afford
"refreshment for man and beast" as their sign boards proclaimed good
home cooking and fairly comfortable lodging, all at modest prices. One
of the first on the route westward was that popular inn kept by John
An Old-Time Mail Coach
Plues, a few miles west of ilonroe. which was not only liberally patron-
ized by the stage passengers, hut was the objective point of frequent
parties from the city, especially during the winter when the sleighing
was good, when many a jolly oyster supper and dance was enjoyed to
the limit, and the music of Geniac's fiddle lent inspiration to the scene.
There was another at iliJan and still others; most of these primitive
taverns rejoiced in the huge fire-places at one end of the big "public
room," where blazed the immense maple and hickory logs that sent their
cheerful lieht and summer warmth throuehont the apartment, not lo
mention the smoke that adverse drafts brought down the big chimney,
and floated through the room.
M.^iN Traveled Roads
On the highway between the principal north and south termini, Mon-
roe and Detroit, the road was generally pretty well thronged in good
weather with all sorts of conveyances from the huge, swaying Concord
coach with its four or six horse teams, driven by the mighty Jehus who
were looked up to by the small boy with an admiration and reverence
that was beautiful to behold ; to the one horse or ox cart. The roads were
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330 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
good and fairly smooth during the summer and autumn months and the
dread at encountering the discomforts, even then not always absent, was
turned to keen enjoyment; hut woe to the traveller who was obliged to
throw himself into the "imminent and ready breach" during the spring
months at the "breaking up of winter." The old plank road was by no
means the guarantee of safety— much less comfort — when its planks
floated free from the stringers and the bridges were meditating a depart-
ure from their supports — then the life of the tourist was a misery, if
nothing worse.
The old Toledo and Detroit turnpike was the great thoroughfare
between these principal termini up to the date of the building of the
railroad in 1852. The plank road was in use as far south from Monroe
as Vienna and was generally in good condition, but occasionally, from
neglect or from floods it became a "condition, not a theory" such as to
bring forth language that would not be quotable in polite literature.
The big lumbering Concord coaches would be filled with passengers
and the capacious "boot" in the rear crammed with baggage and well
covered with mud, while the forward "boot" extending under the
driver's seat, would be heavily loaded with mail bags and the smaller
baggage of passengers. These coaches in busy times ran in bunches of
two or three or even more and reached a speed of six to eight miles or
more an hour, (when the equipment was adequate and the roads in
favorable condition.)
Famous Stage Drivers
The drivers were generally a*class of hardy, bluff, good natured and
adventurous men, who gloried in their occupation and justly prided them-
selves upon their skill in han<lling their spirited four-in-hands and
successful avoidance of perilous risks in "fancy driving" and showy
evolutions when entering a town. There is well remembered, a driver
of more than local renown who drove a coach on the Toledo— Monroe
route, a sight of whose dash into town with the sharp turning of
comers, as he wheeled his load of admiring passengers (not altogether
free, however, from more or less nervous thrills) today, would certainly
be a drawing feature as he pulled up at the door of the old "Mansion
House," or the "Exchange" and "well worth the price" as an exhi-
bition of daring coachmanship. This man was Robert Hendershot and
when his bugle was blown as the grand entre into town, was made, every-
body knew that a "show was on" that could not be missed, and the
windows of all of the houses along the road had their interested spec-
tators, while troops of small boy worshippers and full grown admirers
welcomed "Bob" with shouts and cheers. Bob generally drove a
cross-matched four, two dapple greys and two blood bays, which were
his favorites; when this was the case, the occasion reached its climax
of excitement and joy.
Alex. Peabody, another of the old time drivers brought to the west
certain of the colonial coaching days ' customs. He was a typical coaehee,
versed in all the ways of the public road and inns, perfectly reliable, witli
all his sensational performances, with his irreproachable four-in-hand,
groomed to the last minute before being put into harness and driven with
a skill and spirit that was a delight to the spectator, and infinite relish
to the passengers. No king or prince was prouder of his domain. He
drove one of the huge coaches that formed a part of the line owned and
operated by Neil, Moore & Co.— between Columbus, Ohio and Detroit —
a long route, with a relay every ten miles ; his horses always seemed fresh,
and came out of the stable full of life and energj'. Peabody took in-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 331
flnite pride in his horses, and required the best of care oi tliuin, when
in stable, which they received from him when on the road.
There was another of the old time coach drivers, Godfrey Loranger,
by name, who drove "Extras" who was perhaps less dramatic in his
style, and who was never known to talce any risks, and for tliat reason
the more conservative and timid rather preferred his methods. He sel-
dom had an accident of any kind, his horses were well fed and well
cared for, and appeared to share their driver's motto of "safety first,
speed second." He was a relative of Jacques Godfrey one of the first of
the old merchants and fur traders of Monroe. The road from Monroe
to Detroit was, in the spring something to terrify a timid traveller, to
say, nothing of the chance of "working their way" by prying the coach
out of the mud holes in the road — not unseldom requiring the carrying
a rail on the shoulder nearly all the way, to be ready for "emergencies."
One old traveller trudging along with his rail on his shoulder remarked,
"I don't mind the mud, nor the delays, nor the busted bridges, so much,
but I do hate, like thunder, to lug this infernal rail along all day." —
(with no rebate in charge for transportation at that !)
Erastus Hubble, another of the veteran drivers is still living in
Monroe, who, at the age of 82 can still repeat some of the
dramatic episodes of stage days. He is, notwithstanding his ripe age,
vigorous and active — with a clear, undimmed eye, hearing but little im-
paired, memory faultless, he will entertain you for a pleasurable hour
with a narrative of events, which in their reality seem as if he were
speaking of yesterday or last week. Sir. Hubble, is the son of Nathan
Hubble one of the early surveyors and sheriffs of Monroe county, and
was landlord of the old "American House" one of the historic wayside
Inns of Monroe that stood at the corner of Front and Monroe streets.
A huge, rambling two-storied frame building with a "porch" that ex-
tended along the whole of the Monroe street front, where no stage or
traveller failed to stop. Many a legend and exciting "tale of the
road" has its setting in the old American House. Here the Michigan
troops starting for the Mexican war, paused in their march to the fron-
tier. From this point also started a large party overland to California.
other names among former Jehus are remembered by Mr. Hubble, such
as Alonzo Hecock, George Dnddleson, Andrew Siinpkins, Geo. Knapp and
his brother Martin,
The dress of these old time drivers were not quite so picturesque
as those worn in the days of coaching in old England, when the many
eaped coat and the flashy waistcoat with its big buttons, their innumer-
able shawls and wraps about the neck and the low, bell-crowned hat of
jolly old Tony Weller's costume were the distinctive marks of the eoachee.
In New England it was still different. Ari old inhabitant of Pownall,
Vermont, thus describes the usual dress of a stage driver in the colonial
periods. "The winter dress of these old drivers was nearly all alike.
Their clothing was of heavy homespun, high legged calf skin boots, thick
woolen trousers tucked inside the boot legs, fur lined overshoes pulled over
the boots. Over all these were worn Canada hand knit stockings, very
heavy and thick, colored bright red, which came nearly up to the thighs,
and still over them another rather low cut shoe. The overcoats were gen-
erally buffalo skin, with fur outside, and fur caps with ear protectors,
and either fur or wool tippets, also a red wool or silk sash that went
around the body and tied on the left side with a double bow and tassels
after the fashion of the coureur de hois, ' ' But this costume was for cold,
bleak New England winter, when the roughest weather might become still
rougher, without notice. The milder climate in the region about the
lakes, allowed of less cumbersome clothing and greater freedom of the
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332
HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
body in handling the teams and preparing for an ' ' overt'irn, ' ' wliicli was.
liable to occur at any time. The best drivers were generally a sober, but
jolly and interesting class of men, who delighted in clean coaches, fine
horses well harnessed, with plenty of large ivory rings scattered over the
animals, such as are now seen on the harnesses of the city truck horses
and brewery teams. They affected characteristic modes of speaking, and
invented some ingenious, odd expressions, which the boys watched for
and adopted without delay.
They had prudence, and sturdy intelligence — "horse sense" in fact,
which carried them through many an embarassing experience. The
colonial driver was in the habit of carrying letters and other papers in
the crown of his big hat, for convenience, and this became so general that
one of the most important stage companies ordered that "no driver shall
carry anything except in his pocket." The disadvantage of this former
custom, in case of a sudden gust of wind removing the hat from the head
The Once Famous "Smith ^ Tuern oi- Old Stiie Cjaih ind
Tavern Dais
OeeupLed as a tavern previous to 1840 by Ira
by G. F. Beek, Monroe, I'rea. of Ohio and Uichigai
of the driver and unceremoniously scattering its contents over the
surrounding country, is obvious. Many of the stage drivers in the
western routes were very convivial chaps, and did not require persistent
urging to join a hospitably disposed passenger, or a genial landlord at
a road-house, in a "jorum" or two, "to keep out the cold" in winter,
or to "prevent sunstroke," in summer; occasionally one, indeed, who
did not feel compelled to offer any excuses like these for his indulgence,
at any time.
ProN-EER Roadside Tavern
The old roadside tavern shown by the illustration in its present
decrepitude, was quit* a noted inn, during the coach and tavern days,
a prosperous halfway house at Vienna still to be seen on the road
between Monroe and Toledo; sometimes passengers were detained here
for hours, or over night, by reason of sick or disabled horses, or acci-
dent to the coach, or some other cause. Then tlie passengers found
here good meals, good toddy, and good fellowship. So much so, indeed,
that the driver would experience some diffieulty in rounding up his
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 333
passengers when he was ready to resume the journey. A famous tavern
in Monroe in the stage coach days was the "Exchange," which was
buruyd in 1852. This house was built by a capitalist from the eastern
states, named Olcott Chapman, in the "thirties" and was named the
"Chapman House" which afterwards was changed to Mansion House,
and finally to "The Exchange." It was a large, four story brick
structure, with a cupola, and at that time the largest and best hotel
west of BulEalo, enjoying a wide reputation for its comfort, and the
superior qualifications of its landlords, among whom were Levi and Eli
C. Kellogg, brothers ; General Levi S. Humphrey, and a later bomfaee,
Daniel Dunning, who is still remembered by our older citizens as the
ideal landlord. This was the "relay house" between Toledo and Detroit,
and it is fair to presume was a most cheerful and welcome stopping
place, after the tedium of a day in the crowded coach when the traveller
was quite fully prepared to echo the words of Chaucer:
"As wearied pilgrim once posses 't
Of longed-for lodging, go to rest.
So I, now having rid my way.
Fix here my buttoned staff, and stay. ' '
Troublous Days op Travel
It is related that on a certain day in the spring of 1844, one of these
four-horse Concord coaches left the "Exchange," for Detroit at 7:30
A. M., with a complement of passengers (which meant eight "insides,"
and a few on top,) and reached its destination, a distance of thirty-five
miles, at 8 o'clock in the evening. There was no accident — it was
simply a case of mud.
One of the passengers was Robert McClelland, then a practicing law-
yer of Monroe afterwards Governor, who was given the opportiinity of
doing considerable lifting, to extricate the stage from frequent plunges
into tlie mire.
The following is related of another instance of the troublous days
of primitive transportation by an old resident: On one occasion, three
boxes of specie were sent, from Detroit for the Bank of Monroe, and
deposited in the boot of the stage. For the benefit of the innocent young
people of this generation, I mil mention that the boot of a coach is a
place for depositing the baggage in the rear. So, it is easy to perceive,
that the performances of professional burglars and thieves were not
anticipated in those days. On this occasion, however, advantage was
taken of the situation. When the stage arrived in Monroe, it was dis-
covered that the boxes were missing. The services of General Humphrey,
who was then sheriff, were called into requisition. On an ivestigation, and
from what he learned of the driver, he became satisfied that they were
stolen by a notorious man by the name of Bass, who kept a tavern at
Monguagon Creek, now, Ecorse, where the stage horses were changed,
and where the passengers dined. General Humphrey and Leander
Sackett constituted themselves a committee with unlimited powers, and
journeyed as soon as possible to the residence of Mr. Bass. On their ar-
rival, they interrogated Mr, Bass; but, as may well be supposed, he
denied all knowledge of the boxes, but as they were confident he was the
man, they "went for him" with a vengeance. With the assistance of
one or two other men who were ready for any enterprise, they waited
upon Mr. Bass to a piece of woods opposite the house, tied him to a tree
and whipped him until he owned the "soft impeachment." He stood a
strong flagellation, however, before he succumbed. They returned with
the three boxes in good order ; this was directly on the historic ground of
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334 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
the battle of Monguagon. "Whether this was a consolatory feature of the
ease to Mr. Bass, is not apparent; probably not. He did not remain
very long after this escapade.
"Uniteo St.-vtes Hotel"
Another historic Jnn of Monroe, was the old "United States Hotel."
Around this old relic of the faded past there clung until its last days
stories dramatic, romantic — of elopements, of hasty weddings — of the
exploits of '"road agents," of the meetings of sympathisers with the
Patriot war, their mysterious conferences, and the assemblages of men
of the "Hunter's Lodges" — where men lost their good name, and others
lost their savings, where afterward the old house under more respectable
management and the efforts of a later landlord, in the fifties, Orry
Adams, succeeded in restoring the once respectable character. It was a
great three story frame building — painted red at one time, but generally
not painted at all. Entrance was gained by ascending a flight of wooden
steps to the first floor, some five feet from the ground. At one time an
eft'ort was made to run a hotel there without the support of a bar, it was
then named the "Monroe Coffee House." This did not survive for long
the trials and tribulations incident to the endeavor to stem the tide of
a "wet" public, and its promoters soon passed into the long list of dis-
couraged and ruined hotel keepers,
MtTRPHY House
There was still another tavern in those early days and strange to
state it still exists and apparently as sturdy and sound in its white
paint, as in the days of its youth. This was the "Murphy House," still
recognizable on West Front street. The only excuse for its presence
in that location is the fact that when the Southern Railroad was first
built, its passenger depot stood upon the present site of Kurd's elevator,
perhaps thirty or forty rods from the hotel. It has not changed much
dui'ing its seventy years of existence. Its builder and first landlord
was James Murphy — an early pioneer of Monroe. It is not remem-
bered whether this was a. dry or wet hostelry, but at present is said
to be extremely "drouthy."
' ' THE L NDEKSIt NFD h
tai th H f
gone tharo gl p ■i
t a h w ]
public and t k mf rt bl
11 th h y f
determined t p P t
m k th \[ b St
he hopes t m t J
h f p bl p t
'■Heh Id bl
tit tb w tb
modate a f b d b3 th
k so bl t m
to this hoi prep 1 t
ni d t f m
"JIOD \ 1
The Macomb Street House, once a noted hostelry in the palmy days
of good inns and genial landlords, an inn whose guests were so hospitably
welcomed and so generously entertained that when they left its many
attractions they did so with profound regret, and welcomed any excuse
for repeating their visit. The old hotel had a most remarkable and in-
teresting history. It was built in the early thirties by a wealthy capital-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 335
ist from the New England states, who became so enamored of Monroe
and so deeply impressed with the inevitable future gi'eatness of the
place which was surrounded with so many natural and ae(|uired advan-
tages that he sometimes allowed his enthusiasm to prejudice his business
judgment and his investments were not always in line with sober after-
thought. He fancied that there would never be too much room for the
numbers of good people who were to come and make their home on the
banks of the historic River Raisin in a community of refinement and
culture and where "every prospect pleases." His delight was in erect-
ing a New England "Wayside Inn" and the Macomb Street House was
to embody that ideal of colonial architecture, upon one of the pleasant-
est streets in the town, shaded by beautiful elms and maples, its environ-
ments were most agreeable; fearing that after ail, it would be far too
small for the expected things, he built a terrace of dwellings — (he was
seventy -five years in advance of the present popular craze for "commun-
ity blocks" and apartment houses which accommodate today from ten
to forty families, in our large cities). This adjoined or was connected
by a covered way with the large frame hotel ; it was built of briek, and
still stands occupied, a monument to the stability of old time methods
of construction, and to the over-coniidence of its builder. The old
Macomb Street House flourished in its original glory, through many
mutations of fortune— and in the fond memory of scores of tired travel-
ers who there found a comfortable temporary al)iding place. Its common-
place affairs, its romances, its tragedies, its miseries, its joys, its excite-
ments all now faded into "a dimly remembered past." Its hotel days
were in the time when the Concord coaches were the royal vehicles of pub-
lic travel, or when the rich and more exclusive travelled in their own
chaises, or when the rich and more exclusive travelled in their own
sumptuous "barouches," attended by retinues of servants, and created
the impression among those of simpler tastes and ambitions, that they
were indeed "of royal blood." But the old "Macomb Street House,"
was witness to many scenes of such strongly contrasting characteristics
as to stamp it with more of kaleidescopic human interest than usually at-
taches to the i|uiet old inns of its day. Monroe has long been a "Gretna
Green" for impatient lovers, who came scurrying over the Ohio state
line to evade the embarassing laws touching licenses, or to elude the
pursuit of disobliging and unsympathetic parents, — ^to find more con-
genial, and complaisant fellow beings in the "City of Flowers." This
name alone, possibly had much to do in directing the steps of the love-
lorn swains — and the suave justices of the peace invariably "made
things pleasant" and reaped the reward of the "truly good" — as they
do to this day, except that now the electric cars are the factors in the
question of urgency, and as a matter of fact, stop at the very doors of
hymen's temple, and the smiling judge uses the most captivating forms
of short ceremonies.
The old "Macomb Street House" in the days of the Patriot war
was one of the "Hunter's Lodges" wherein were hatched many deep
laid seditious schemes for aiding their Canadian neighbors to capture
the western part of the royal empire, and set up a new governtnent. No
man living can now tell of the dark and mysterious conclaves held
there — of the midnight oil that was consumed during the hours when
plots were hatched and lurid oratory was to be heard in tightly closed
rooms. The moving pictures, also disclose the more peaceful occupations
of the devotees of Terpsichore, which at times lured the maiden to for-
sake the weekly prayer meeting to follow in the train of the muse of
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336 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
dancing, and then possibly meet her fate. This was abetted and
eneouraged by such annoucements as this;
FASHIOhABLB DANd^G SLHfCL
"INCLUDING polite deporfment with tie nen anJ beautiful Steptre extr ms
for correcting any deformities of the tbcst or spjne n 11 Ip openel tor tie lirst f
a series of Twelve T ees us at the
MACOMB STREET HOt SE
"Oti Thnrsday, December nth, at IY2 o'clock",
urse, payable one
"J. K. GooDALE, of Detroit."
"Monroe, December 14th, 1857."
It must not be supposed, however, that tliese lessons were to be given
"at 1% o'clock" in the morning! No. The unromantie hour of "early
in the afternoon" was the severely proper time for these hilarious ses-
sions of the "Sceptre exercises." It would probably be discovered also
upon investigation among the archives of the old house that adjourned
meetings were held along towards eight o'clock in the evening when
Pere Goodale's fiddle and his wife's harp sent the heels and toes tiying
giddily in the big old dining room. "Was that a logical selection for a
young men's academy? It is the unexpected that often happens, and it
did in this ease. This was the tumultuous scene of the "academy."
What environments for the pursuit of knowledge (under difficulties) !
This school was established by good and solid business men of Mon-
roe, its rooms were filled with students from home and abroad, who
under the influence of that inspiring past, grew into ministers, lawyers,
soldiers, historians, heroes and — Chiffaurs. Professor Stebbins was an
eminent educator and his wife's sister was the most attractive woman
on horseback that ever made jealous girls anywhere ! The best of things
have their ending, some in a blaze of glory, some in a minimized "peter-
ing out" disappearance. It is a melancholy record that the old Macomb
Street House was not in the former class.
Mails and Mail Carriers
From the days when James Knaggs, living on the north bank of the
River Raisin near Frenchtown, was deputized as an American scout and
to carry the mails to Fort Meigs and Sandusky by the oflfieers of General
Harrison's army, to even a quite late date in the northwest territory,
the task was a most arduous and adventurous one, from which many a
brave man shrunk in horror and a service in which more than one in-
trepid Frenchman had lost his scalp. Knaggs was a brave man, thor-
oughly versed in wood craft, and familiar with the ways of the red
men, which enabled him to avoid many of the perils which attended the
mail-carrier. He came upon scenes well calculated to paralyze the most
hardy, witnessing evidences of barbarities committed by the savages
upon defenseless settlers that aroused the most intense feelings of re-
venge, where whole families would be found around their rude cabins,
foully murdered, tomahawked and inhumanly mutilated, the scalps
torn from their victim's head, young children cut to pieces and prob-
ably devoured by the wretches in cold .blood. It was a trying ordeal
through which he passed, and he was powerless to redress the atrocities.
Even when these blood-curdling incidents were absent the journey
of the mail carrier over these primitive "rural free delivery routes"
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 337
was by rio means a sinecure — plunging through trackless forests, over
fallen tree trunks and fording streams of ice cold water; winding
through swamps of unknown extent and thronged with dangers at every
step — the occupation certainly was not an alluring one.
Nevertheless these hardy, faithful coureur de bois hesitated at none
of the hardships nor shrunk from the duty that someone must perform.
The severity of these experiences gradually lessened as the blessings of
peace appeared following the slow moving "improvements" made possi-
ble by clearing the country and developing blazed trails into passable
roads; so that imperceptibly better means of communication were
adopted and the post rider became an important and welcome factor in
the life of the pioneer families, as a means of learning something of the
world beyond their reach and of tidings from loved ones far beyond
the mysterious barrier that shut them from view and intercourse.
"After the period of walking and eanoe riding had had its day," says
a very interesting writer of those dawning days of civilization, "nearly
all land travel for half a century was on horseback, or when the roads
permitted it, by two-wheeled carts of exceedingly primitive construc-
tion, drawn by oxen, a device of torture, and anguish to the passenger,
its only excuse being that produce and the mail could be carried along
with passengers and horses left on the farm to do the necessary work
without interruption."
One method of progress which would offer variety and help a party
of four persons on a journey was what was called the ' ' ride-and-tie ' ' sys-
tem. Two of the party of four persons would start on the road on foot ;
two others would mount the saddle, ride about a mile, dismount, tie the
horse and walk on. "When the two who started on foot reached the
waiting horses they in turn mounted, rode on past the other couple for
a mile or so. dismounted, tied the horse and walked on— thus keeping
up the "exchange of courtesies " until the destination was reached. These
traveling parties often had as welcome escort the postman or mail car-
rier, who always rode horseback. One of the duties of this official,
strictly enjoined, was to be kind, courteous and helpful to all persons
who eared to journey in his company. He usually carried two leather
pouches, crammed with letters and parcels. When he delivered his mail
at an inn, which might have been the post office also, it was laid on the
table in the public room or bar and anyone who wished looked over all
the letters and then selected such as were addressed to him or her, paid
the postage in coin. (There were no stamps for prepayment of postage.)
There was no charge less than twenty-five cents for a single letter, to be
paid either by the sender or recipient at option. In some sections of
the country the postman was allowed a perquisite of all postage col-
lected on all "way letters" or packages in lieu of other compensation.
It sometimes happened (a rare streak of luck) that the bags and bun-
dles between post stations would require a pack horse, led by the post-
man, to carry the extra large mail, and then the revenue was worth while.
The mail carriers were certainly very important personages in the
olden time. Their routes extended northward into the Saginaw coun-
try and even to the Sault de Ste. Marie ; they were Indian, half breeds
and the Canadian French, mostly. One of this class of coureur de
bois was old John Bouche,* with whom the author has had very inter-
esting interviews at his home on Lake Superior. Some years ago he
carried the mails for a long period from the "Soo" through to Saginaw,
then simply a trading post, and often farther, through that wild coun-
try the entire distance to Detroit. On snow shoes, or sledges drawn by
dogs in the winter when the ground was deeply covered with snow,
* See portrait of Bouche on page 50.
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338 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Bouchg's adventures were of the highest type of the backwoods' experi-
ence of rover and trapper and hunter. Encounters with wolves and
other ravenous beasts, with hostile Indians and renegades, were suffi-
ciently in evidence to prevent his faculties from rusting in disuse.
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CHAPTEK XXVI
BANKS AND BANKING
Early iRREsi'ONyiBLE IIanks — A Detroit B.vnk of Discount — Bank
OF Detroit Cre-ited — "Something Irregular" in Detroit — Penal-
ties FOR TInautiiorized Banking — Bank of Michigan IncoepoRiVTED
— Bank of IIonroe — ^The Maumee Bank of Manhattan — Wildcat
Banking and Banks— Bad Land Reports — Effect op Erie Canal
Opening — Cr.\ze for Internal Improvements — Bank of Brest. — ■
Rapid Circulation of Specie — Mustek Roll of "Wildcats"—
Work of Bank Ex-vminers — For Circulation in the Confeder.\cy
— Amusing and Surprising — Federal Bankrupt Law — State
Curbs on Speculation— To Restrain Wild Banking — Wool and
AVheat Markets — Bank op River Raisin Continued^The Act of
1857 — First Telegraph Well Used — First National Bank — Mon-
roe State Savings Bank.
If is a far cry from the so-ealled banking enterprises of the early
days in the Michigan territory with their inflated bubbles of "high
finance." to the well established and solid institutions both state and
national of today. The high standard of financial strength and the able
and eonservative management of the banks and banking houses in our
state has given to this department of our business affairs a stability and
firmness that commands the highest respect and confidence, hut during
the territorial period and early days of statehood some of these institu-
tions were incorporated and managed with an utter ignorance or indif-
ference to the principles of sound finaneeering.
Early Irresponsible Banks
The first bank in the territory was established without authority of
Congress, or of any other constituted authority, and its career was one
of the worst that can he imagined. Some of those working under special
ehartere. incorporated by the Territorial Council, were scarcely any
better. There was no guaranty of the safety of deposits, or much if any
safeguards to their customers in any of their transactions. Most of
them were banks of issue, and the magnitude of their circulation was
apparently limited only by their ability to pay for the engraving of
their notes. These were fine specitnena of the engraver's art, and were
circulated everywhere, without much anxiety about the "day of re-
demption. ' '
Under the Constitution of 1835 a very fair banking law was enacted
by the territorial legislature, but it was inefficiently administered and
recklessly disregarded. During the early part of the period when the
territory was under the anomalous rule of the governor and judges, who
combined legislative, executive and judicial functions in one body, vis-
ionary ideas of the rapid growth of territory and town seemed to have
339
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340 HlSTOaY OF MONROE COUNTY
generally prevailed. It was under the influence of these that Judge
Woodward's elaborate "spider web" plan for the city of Detroit was
conceived. It was under lite influence that the first great bank scheme
was projected. It was certainly a magnificent and royal affair — on
paper.
A Detroit Bank of Discount
From Silas Farmer's History of Detroit we quote an. extract, show-
ing the force with which it impressed a plain and practical citizen of
Detroit: "In 1805, a few days after Governor Hull and Judge Wood-
ward arrived, I accidentally stepped into the legislative hoard while
the honorable members were deliberating upon the situation and cir-
cumstances of the territory and the measures necessary for its future
elevation. Judge Woodward said: 'Poi* my part I have always con-
sidered these territorial establishments, at best, a most wretched system
of government, and the measures hitherto pursued by former territorial
authorities have all proved exceedingly defective. We will therefore
adopt a system for the government of this new territory that shall be
entirely novel.' Judge Bates and Governor Hull gave assent to this
sentiment by a slight nod of the head, and the audience of citizens stood
amazed at the profound wisdom of their words and the ma.iesty of their
demeanor. Governor Hull then observed: 'Before I left Boston I had
but a very imperfect idea of this country ; but since I arrived I am per-
fectly delighted with it. Gentlemen, this is the finest, richest country
in the world; but from its remoteness it is subject to many inconven-
iences which it behooves us to remove as speedily as possible. And the
first object which merits the special attention of this honorable board is
the establishment of a bank. Yes, gentlemen, a bank of discount and
deposit, will be a fine thing for this new territory. Before I left Boston
I spoke to several of my friends on this subject and they even made me
promise to be connected with it.'
" 'A bank!' said the visitor to himself, 'a bank of discount and de-
posit in Detroit! To discount what? Cabbages and turnips, pumpkins
and potatoes? These folks must either be very wise men, very great
fools or very great rogues ! ' A bank in Detroit wliere the trade is all
traffic and barter, and the bills are payable in produce of one kind or
another. ' '
A bank in the edge of a wilderness appeared certainly to be a be-
ginning of Judge Woodward's plan of novelty. But the idea that the
small town needed a big bank was not original with either the governor
or .iudge.
Bank op Detroit Cke.^ted
Before they left Boston, Eussel Sturges and five other promoters had
laid plans for a great banking scheme in the west, and had carefully
instilled into the minds of Governor Hull and Judge Woodward the
feasibility of carrying it out. One of the first steps taken by the gov-
ernor and judges in furtherance of their plan to rebuild the town which
had recently been destroyed by fire was to inaugurate a series of four
lotteries, the profits to be derived to go towards "the encouragement of
literature and the development of Detroit." The next was to pass a bill
for the incorporation of a bank, with capital stock not to exceed one mil-
lion dollars, and with a charter to run one hundred and one years. The
story of this bank shows that the chances were not as good for those
who'^ took stock in the bank and kept it as for those who bought tickets
in the lottery.
The governor was authorized to subscribe for stock in the bank in
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 341
behalf of the territory without limit as to the amount, but he conserva-
tively and wisely invested in but ten shares, and the Boston men sub-
scribed for ninety-five per cent, of the balance. A lot was purchased for
$475, upon which was erected a building costing with furniture and fix-
tures $8,000, the most costly building in the town at that time. These
preliminaries arranged, the governor and Judge Woodward proceeded
to Washington and returned by way of Boston, bringing with them
$19,000 in guineas to pay the first instalment of two per cent, on the
Boston subscription to the stock. They also brought as additional appur-
tenances to the bank tiie vault doors, iron bars for the windows, a cashier,
two financiers and a large amount of unsigned bills. Judge Woodward
was elected president and W, Flannigan cashier, and they opened busi-
ness by signing $165,000 worth of currency with which the Boston finan-
ciers speedily started eastward. The form of liability expressed in the
bills was as follows: "The Bank of Detroit and its shareholders jointly
guarantee the payment at their office in Detroit, $ — ^." The Boston
financiers sold their bank notes in the northern and eastern states at
from 10 to 25 per cent, discount and soon afterwards sold their stock.
"Something Irregular" in Detroit
Redemption of the first five dollar note which was presented at the
bank was at first refused and five hundred dollars presented at a later
date met the same fate. After a few days, however, the cashier con-
cluded to pay them. There is nothing whatever to show that any notes
of the bank other than these were ever redeemed, nor that any deposits
were made, nor any notes discounted, nor any return made for the bills
issued. After the first Boston stockholders sold out their holdings their
successor, one Dexter of the same city, arrived in Detroit, elected a new
president and started east with another lot of bank currency. In all
more than $1,500,000 in bills were issued, of which $12,000 were circu-
lated in Michigan and the rest taken east. Meantime most of the money
paid on the two per cent, instalment of stock had disappeared, and no
second instalment was ever paid in.
In December, 1807, the authorities in Washington learned that some-
thing irregular was going on in Detroit and instructed Judge Witherell
to investigate and report upon the condition of affairs. Upon the return
of Judge Witherell's report Congress refused to sanction the banking
scheme which was equivalent to a notice to the public that the charter
was of no value or force. The bank was kept open, however, for its
original and only function of issuing notes till September, 1808, when the
absence of Judge Woodward from the territory broke the tie which often
prevented the transaction of business in the governing council of the
territory.
Penalties for Unauthorized Banking
riovernor Hull and Judge Witherell, being a majority of the quorum
of three, passed an act providing severe penalties for unauthorized bank-
ing. The oiBcers of the Detroit Bank petitioned for exemption from
these penalties, but were refused, whereupon the bank closed its doors.
The passage of this penal act was very obnoxious to Judge Woodward
and made him very angry, and caused an estrangement between him and
the governor which lasted throughout their joint official careers. Thus
ended ignominiously the career of the first bank that did business as such
in Michigan. It is but just to state, however, that the charge relating
to fabulous amounts of money sent east and sold without any returns
being made to the hank would seem to be no more dependable than other
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342 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
fiction of various strange and lawless proceedings in the early days of
the west.
Bank of Michigan Incorporated
Nothing further was done in the way of establishing a bank in Michi-
gan until December, 1817, when the legislative council passed an act for
incorporating the Bank of Michigan, naming the following of the in-
corporators as first directors : Solomon Sibley, Stephen Mack, Henry L.
Hunt, Abraham Edwards, John R. "Williams, Phillip Leeuyer and "Wil-
liam Brown. The capital was $100,000, of which ten per cent, was re-
quired to be paid in in specie at the time the subscriptions were made.
The bank was quite a different affair from its predecessor and had
some of the most respectable and substantial citizens of the territory
back of it. It enjoyed a long and honorable existence, and during the
period of reckless (or worse) banking in the territory that followed its
name! The "Old Bank of Michigan" was synonymous with all that
was stable, honest and sound. It was organized in June, 1818, with nine
directors, who chose General John R. Williams president' and James Mc-
Closkey as cashier. It met with a loss the same year in the defalcation
of MeCloskey in the amount of $15,000. Nevertheless, it continued as a
prosperous favorite institution of Detroit, where in 1831 its charter was
extended for twenty-five years, and a banking building erected, which
was the first stone building in the city. This historic structure, situated
at the corner of Jefferson avenue and Griswold street, still stands practi-
cally unchanged in its exterior appearance, now occupied by the Michi-
gan Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Bank of Monroe
The first bank incorporated in the interior of the state was the Bank
of Monroe, Michigan, organized under an act approved March 29, 1827,
which was also the beginning of banking in this city. The act appointed
John Anderson, Josiah "Wendell, Robert Clarke, Oliver Johnson, Charles
J. Lanman, Dan B. Miller and Harry Conant as the first directors, fixed
the stock at $100,000 with the privilege of increasing to $500,000, pro-
viding that twelve and one-half per cent, should be paid in at the time
of subscribing and the remainder in instalments at the call of the direc-
tors. This bank was prosperous for ten years. It issued currency to
the amount of $50,000 and its bills were current in all parts of the coun-
try.
The Maumee Bank op Manhattan
This financial institution, thought to be necessary to the business and
personal interests of Monroe when Michigan was a territory and the town
looming up in prominence as the principle end of everything in sight or
to become visible. Today few of the inhabitants of Monroe remember
anything about the Bank of Manhattan, or whether, if chartered, really
transacted any business ; if so, where and when. The city of Manhattan
itself was a "pipe dream," unremembered, save when the name is dis-
covered in the files of old newspapers of 1835, like the following, from the
Monroe Sentinel, giving legal notice of intention of locating a bank in
Manhattan, Monroe county: "Notice is hereby given that application
will be made to the Legislature of the State of Michigan at its next ses-
sion for the passage of an act incorporating a Bank, to be located at the
village of Manhattan, in the county of Monroe, by the name of 'The
Maumee Bank of Manhattan, ' with a capital of $100,000 — with the privi-
lege to increase the same to $500,000.
"Manhattan, Dee. 1, 1835."
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HISTOBY OP MONROE COUNTY 343
Subsequent local items indicate that the bank was organized, enjoyed
a brief but brilliant career, and finally "vanished info thin air" (hot
probably). '
Wildcat Banking and Banks
The adnii^ion of Michigan territory into the Union in 1837, though
a great and important event in her history, was partially overshadowed
by, if not the cause of, an era of speculation and commercial disturb-
ances which pervaded the western country and attracted to the new state
hundreds of adventurers and irresponsible characters, many of whom
were a detriment instead of a benefit to the community. Chimerical
schemes and projects were floated weekly and a general feverishness in
business prevailed which was generally conceived to be the natural condi-
tion of prosperity and the spirit of progressiveness and enterprise. The
wildcat banking craze of this period, which seized Michigan with great
violence was not a sudden outbreak of financial heresay, dishonesty and
extravagance, but was merely one symptom of a disease which for some
months had been running its course, the result of different but con-
curring causes.
Bad Land Reports
From this unfortunate condition of things thus early in her history
Jlichigan also suffered severely at an early date from an altogether dif-
ferent cause, but equally damaging as a handicap to her development.
With a view of locating bounty lands for the soldiers, the general gov-
ernment caused a survey to be made from the southern boundary of
Michigan northward for a distance of fifty miles. The first report from
this survey described the country as an unbroken series of Tamarack
swamps, bogs and sand barrens, with not more than one acre in a hundred,
probably not more than one in a thousand suitable for cultivation. Not
a very inviting picture to induce immigration from the fine farming sec-
tions of the eastern states. At a later date, November 30, 1815, Surveyor
General Tiffin wrote from the land office at Chillicothe, Ohio: "The sur-
veyors who went to survey the military lands in Michigan territory have
been compelled to suspend operations until the country shall become
sufficiently frozen to bear up man and beast." A fortnight later he
wrote: "I am very anxious to hear from you since my representative
went forward. Subsequent reports from surveyors confirm the previous
statements and show the country worse, if possible, than I had represented
it to be." It turned out afterwards that some of the old French settlers
and others interested in preventing immigration at that time for reasons
of their own, were responsible for these reports which the surveyors be-
lieved rather than their own observations. The trappers and hunters
lived upon the fur trade and were not anxious to have the fur-bearing
animals driven off by the cutting down of forests, settling of farms
and building up of villages. The fewer neighbors, the better it suited
them. Accordingly when the surveyors came into the territory the set-
tlers along the border at Detroit and the River Raisin volunteered to
serve as guides and entertained them hospitably, and then took them
into almost impassable marshes, swamps and over sand hills, probably
going out of their way to exhibit the more unattractive and discouraging
spots in order to find material for the most damaging reports by the
surveyors upon the capabilities of Michigan as a desirable place for set-
tlement. As a natural r^ort of these misrepresentations the soldiers'
bounty lands were located in Illinois and Missouri, and the tide of popu-
lation swept around the peninsula to settle in the territories to the west ;
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344 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
this is shown by the fact that whereas the population of the territory in
181.0 was 4,762, it had only reached a total of 8,927 in 1820.
Effect of Erie Canal Opening
The opening of the Erie canal in 1825 made a change for Michigan
as well as for other portions of the west. The canal hoats connecting
with steamers and sailing vessels on the lakes made travel easier and
more economical, which started a tide of emigration that rapidly swept
westward for more than a decade. Detroit and Monroe as a termini of
the principal water rout^ from Buffalo were the landing places of many
of the emigrants who swarmed over the territory and filled up so rapidly
that the population increased from 31,639 in 1830 to 87,278 in 1834 and
to 175,169 in 1837.
This rapid increase of population and the equally rapid taking up of
lands aroused a fierce spirit of wild speculation especially in real estate.
It was not an uncommon thing for a "promoter" to hunt up a mill site
or some otTier location supposably available for a town site, purchase ' ' an
eighty" or a quarter section from the government at $1.25 an acre, make
a plat showing the river and mill site, the water lots (sometimes numer-
ous), a public square, court house and eligible sites for locating other
public buildings {for every paper city was to be a county seat). Then
the plat was taken around to citizens for their admiration and exercise
of faith in the golden future, advertised in the papers, a city lot quite
likely being given in payment for the advertisement, and the business
entered upon a ' ' boom, ' ' lots selling all the way from five dollars, depend-
ing upon the gullibility of buyers. It is perhaps needless to add that
many of these paper cities and villages thus laid out and sold at that
time are swamps and farm lands even unto the present day.
Craze fob Internal Improvements
Jlindful of the impetus which the Erie canal had given to emigra-
tion, and the great benefits which it had conferred on central and western
New York, a craze for internal improvements far beyond any possible
needs at that time or the immediate future seized upon the people. Rail-
roads, canals, plank roads, common roads were planned in every direc-
tion, and the promoters were as thick as huckleberries. During the short
period between the adoption of the Constitution of 1835 and the date of
the actual admission of the state into the Union in 1837 laws were enacted
for the laying out of no less than sixty-six state roads.
Eleven railroads and nine banks were chartered, and permission given
to construct thirteen dams upon navigable waters for manufacturing pur-
poses. Two canals were also planned to extend across the state, together
with several shorter ones. Aside from those private charters the state
within a few years projectedj on its own account, 596 miles of railroad,
233 miles of canal, and the improvement of five rivers and harbors, in-
volving an outlay estimated by Governor John S. Barry at $15,000,000,
Two of the acts of the national administration helped to foster the
spirit of speculation. When President Andrew Jackson ordered the re-
moval of the government deposits from the United States Bank and their
distribution among the state institutions, Michigan banks received as their
share $1,895,000, thus adding for the time to the ready money in the
state for speculative purposes. Afterwards when the surplus revenue of
the government was divided among the states the share of Michigan was
$286,721.49.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 345
Though the state had not been admitted into the Union, it had a
legislature, which by act of March 22, 1837, the amount was accepted.
By a further act of March 22, 1837, the amount was placed to the
credit of the internal improvement fund as a loan, to be returned to the
state whenever the $5,000,000 loan for such improvements should be suc-
cessfully negotiated or whenever called for by the legislature. Within
two years $160,000 of this money was drawn out of the state treasury,
according to law, to defray current expenses, and $100,000 more was
credited to the general fund. The remaining $26,751.49 remained to
form part of the internal improvement fund. It is not apparent how the
surplus was of any real benefit to the state. It only served momentarily
to relieve the inhabitants from the burden of their own extravagance.
Swept along by the resistless tide of reckless speculation, the people of
Michigan had contracted an indebtedness of $5,340,000 before 1838, when
the population did not exceed 200,000. It would seem that the presence
of the surplus stimulated rather than checked their prodigality, for it
was affirmed early in 1839 that the appropriations, though somewhat re
dueed, far exceeded the pecuniary means of the state.
That Michigan's share of the national surplus was largely wasted (to
use a mild term) and exerted an effect in creating extravagance is alto-
gether probable, and was so regarded by contemporaneous writers. Like
all the western states they planned many extensive public works at such
an expense that all their resources were exhausted before anything was
actually finished, and so very much was absolutely lost. When it is re-
membered that with a population of only 175,169, in 1837 composed
mostly of farmers with very little capital, in a new country largely unset-
tled improvements were designed whose cost would equal $15,000,000,
some idea of the utter wildness of these undertakings may be gained.
When such methods of financiering obtained it is not a matter of wonder
that millions of surplus was wasted or worse than wasted.
Bank of Bkest
Monroe was no exception to the rule of speculation and extravagance.
Among the notes that were issued and soon ceased to be current and
never redeemed were those of the Bank of Brest. They were in fact fiat
notes, issued by a fiat bank, in a fiat town. Brest, located at the mouth
of Swan creek, is seven miles from Monroe, as a town doing business is
but a memory— but in the "palmy days" it was a most ambitious place.
A map of the "city" made in 1837, finely lithographed and artistically
colored, represented it with broad avenues, sonorously named, lined with
handsome residences standing in charmingly ornamented grounds. The
extended "water front" of the city had continuous lines of docks, above
which were commodious warehouses, while the largest steamers were
shown as passing the city. Many imaginary vessels were lying at imagi-
nary docks, and the streets were thronged with people. A visit to the
"city" by a friend in 1850 disclosed the existence of a frame hotel of
considerable size, one store and "the bank," a building costing about
$1,200, whose front was made imposing by four square pillars reaching
from the floor to the roof of the "poi-eh." The inhabitants were composed
mostly of the native mosquitoes and frogs, and did not have occasion to
bother the postmaster very much. The rural free delivery of the post
office department now handles the mail for this point. The history of
this bank at Brest is perhaps interesting as a type of the banks of the
times in which it flourished. The capita! paid in consisted of a bank
"specie cheek" for $1,146 and an individual cheek for $2,000. On the
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346 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
1st of August, 1838, the bank made the following statement: Loans,
$96,537 ; specie, $12,900 ; eastern exchange and cash items, $22,627 ; circu-
lation, $39,425; deposits, $20,000; due banks, $23,834; profit and loss.
$5,009.
On the 3d of August, two days later, when the commissioners exam
ined the bank, they discovered that Its principal resources actually
sisted of loans on bonds, $16,000; bank stocks, $10,000; specie, $12,900.
It afterwards appeared that $10,500 of the specie belonged to Lewis God-
dard, who exploited a number of wildcat banks. This specie was depos-
ited in the bank the day before the commissioners arrived to inspect the
institution, and was returned to him the day after their departure. The
$16,000 loan was made to the town of Brest, to secure which the bank
received an assignment of bonds exeeutecl by Lewis Goddard for the sum
of $35,400 and also of mortgages upon "one hundred and eighteen city
lots in the city of Brest."
On the day after the examination by the commissioners the directors
assigned the bonds and mortgages back to the trustees of the city having
received not a dime for them. It is no doubt true that the officers of
banks knew in advance of the approaching visits of the examiners and
had an opportunity to "fix up things."
Tn the case of the examination of the bank of Brest there was a sequel.
The examiners made a supplementary call about a week later, "un-
announced," when the bank was caught with only $138.39 in specie on
hand and $84,241 in circulation outstanding.
Rapid Cieculation of Specie
A few days after this the commissioners examined the Bank of Clinton
and found specie on hand to the amount of $11,029.36. The next day
$10,500 of this was taken to Detroit and turned over to Lewis Goddard,
being the same specie that had figured in the assets of the Bank of Brest
and had no doubt done duty in the same way in other of Goddard 's
"chain" of financial institutions. It was quite a custom among weak
banks to pass specie around from one to another when they heard of the
coming of the commissioners. Some of these were in such straits that they
could not even borrow specie. There was an instance in the case of the
Bank of Sandstone, at Barry, which never had over $5.00 in specie,
though it owned up to liabilities of $38,000.
The safe of the Exchange Bank of Shiawassee disclosed in a remote
corner seven cents in silver and copper and a small sum in currency, while
it had in outstanding circulation $22,261. Some of these banks had
neither capital nor specie ; they were organized by the use of stock notes
instead of specie, and when they made their reports specie certificates
were used. In all, twenty-four banks in the state were thus organized
and operated, notwithstanding the statute requiring twelve and one-half
per cent' of the capital in specie to be paid in on the day of organization.
From the 19th of August, 1837, to March 22. 1838, there were thirty-nine
banking organizations fully established, with an aggregate capital of
$3,065,000. Before the work ceased there were seventy organized. Of
the whole number there was but one in Detroit, although it was Detroit
who put up the Bank of Gibralter and one at Plymouth, both iii Wayne
county.
MtreTEB Roll of ' ' Wild Cats ' '
Following is the muster roll of "Wild Cats" that actually commenced
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 347
Name and Location. Capital.
Farmers Bank of Homer, Homer $100,000
Bank of Oakland, Pontiac 50,000
Bank of L'tica, Utica 50,000
Bank of Brest, Brest, Monroe Co 100,000
Mcreliants & Mechanics Bank, Monroe City 150,000
Jackson County Bank, Jackson 100,000
Bank of Marshall, Marshall 100,000
Miller's Bank of Washtenaw, Ann Arbor 50,000
Farmers & Mechanics Bank, Pontiae 50,000
Bank of Manchester, Manchester 100,000
Bank of Saline, Saline 100,000
Clinton Canal Bank, Pontiac 100,000
Bank of Coldwater, Coldwater 50,000
Bank of Lapeer, Lapeer 100,000
Grand River Bank, Grand Rapids 50,000
Saginaw City Bank, Saginaw 50,000
Detroit City Bank, Detroit 200,000
Bank of Monroe, Monroe 100,000
Bank of River Raisin, IWonroe 100,000
St. Joseph County Bank, Centreville 100,000
Farmers Baab of Sharon, Sharon 50,000
Lenawee County Bank, Palmyra 100,000
Genesee County Bank, Flint 50,000
Farmers' Bank of Oakland, Royal Oak 50,000
Commonwealth Bank, Teeumseh 50,000
Gibralter Bank, Gibralter 100,000
Commercial Bank of Michigan, St. Joseph 50,000
Bank of Niles, Niles 100,000
Bank of Singapore, Singapore 50,000
Bank of Allegan, Allegan 100,000
Bank of Auburn, Auburn 50,000
Bank of Plymouth, Plymouth 100,000
Goodrich Bank, Goodrich Mills 150,000
Farmers' Bank of Genesee, Flint 100,000
Huron River Bank, Ypsilanti 100,000
Bank of Shiawassee, Owo^o 50,000
Bank of Kensington, Kensington 50,000
Citizens' Bank of Michigan, Ann Arbor 100,000
Bank of Superior, Superior 100,000
Bank of Sandstone, Barry 50,000
Merchants' Bank of Jaclraon, Brooklyn 65,000
Detroit & St. Joseph R. R. Bank. Jackson 100,000
Exchange Bank of Shiawassee, Shiawassee 50,000
Bank of Battle Creek, Battle Creek 100,000
Farmers' & Mechanics' Bank, Centreville 50,000
Bank of Lake St, Claire, Belvideer 50,000
Michigan Centre Bank, Michigan Centre 50,000
Bank of White Pigeon, White Pigeon 50,000
Branch County Bank, Branch 50,000
Bank of Adrian, Adrian 150,000
Chippewa County Bank, Sault Ste. Marie 50,000
WOEE OP Bank Examiners
If must not be supposed that all this went on without some effort to
check the headlong mad scramble after "something for nothing." The
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348
HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
movement was astounding and called for some drastic measures to head
it off. The commissioners whose duties were defined by the December
amendments to the original act started out on their tour of inspection
in January, 1838. They were honest, energetic and sagacious men. One
of them was Hon, Alpheus Felch, who was a member of the legislature
that passed the aet, and was one of only four members who voted against
it. Six years later he was one of the justices of the supreme court who
declared the act unconstitutional. Mr. Felch was the original historian
of the wildcat bank period and his account of that time was, at the
second session of the Fifty-second Congress, printed as one of the execu-
tive documents of the United States Senate.
The principal trouble in pursuing this examination was that the pro-
moters of the banking scheme were too fast and two keen for the com-
missioners, and over twenty banks were organized and commenced busi-
ness before the commissioners commenced their examinations, and on
the 14th of that mo]!th four more were set in iiiotinTi with an aggre-
BiNK ot Ri\EE Kmsin, Monkoe (18361
Odd Fellons Hill ind Poitoftiie fc Kight Burned m IbfiS
gate capital of $400,000. One of them was in an unknown and i:
bie location, one of them was at Ypsilanti, and another at Owos
sixty miles apart, with no railroad connections. It will thus be seen
that the commissioners would necessarily have to keep moving at a lively
pace to keep up with the procession going at this gait. They did much,
however, to puncture this financial bubble. They refused certificates
to a considerable number of banks that were organized and ready for
business. They discovered and corrected faulty and objectionable meth-
ods of bookkeeping and report-making in the few that were honestly
conducted ; and in the year 1838 they secured injunctions against twenty-
nine fraudulent or unsound institutions. The collapse of this rotten
fabric of finance came in due time. All but four of the banks named
failed before the end of 1839.
No reliable record of the outstanding circulation could be obtained,
but it was thouglit that $1,000,000 or even $2,000,000 in their worthless
notes were in the hands of the innocent public. These notes were of
handsome steel engraved work, executed in New York and Boston, The
only cost of these to the banks was the freight charges, for tliey never
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 349
paid even the engravers. That was a severe and fatal "jolt" to the
wliirlwind hanking days in Mii;higiin, but the echoes wore heard for
many months and years.
For Circulation in thk Confederacy
The last incident in conneetiou with it arose during the Civil war.
The Union troops and especially Michigan troops sometimes found their
pay very slow in coming, or, as was tlie case, frequently, the people in
the confederacy would refuse to take a "greenback" at all in payment
for anything, but would willingly take the bills of state banks, no mat-
ter where they were or how long defunct. The boys therefore, to he
obliging, sent for the old wildcat currency, and found that it was re-
ceived very readily. So bushels of the stuff were disposed of. It is re-
membered that a stout box was found in the attic of one of the Monroe
stores one day which was filled with new bills of the old Merchants and
Mechanics Bank of Monroe. They had never been cut apart nor signed,
and withal were very handsome and respectable looking bank notes.
"The hoys" held a council of war and organized a bank "for this occa-
sion only." The bills were duly signed with impressive autographs of
unknown people, beautifully numbered in brilliant carmine ink, dated
in blue ink, neatly trimmed and duly sent southward to hungry soldiers
from the peninsula state and found to be "legal tender" for anything
that they could buy south of Mason and Dixon line. The writer of this
has seen in a unique scrap-book a $100 Confederate note received in
Monroe in "war times" with instructions to send its face value in "nice
new bills like the last." I believe that fifty five-dollar notes of the
"Merchants and Mechanics Bank" were returned very much to the joy
of the other party interested. As neither note was, of course, possible of
redemption it was a "stand-off" as to the merits of the transaction. At
all events it was considered a "legitimate deal" under the circumstances.
Aml'sing .and Surprising
Some very amusing and surprising facts have come to liglit in con-
nection with transactions in high finance during that period. It proved
that of the old town of Singapore at the mouth of the Kalamazoo river.
Not a trace remains, and the town might as well liave been its prototype
in India as in Michigan. The Peoples' Bank of Grand Haven, located at
Grand Rapids, did not even go through the formality of adopting arti-
cles of incorporation or filing a certificate. A few men simply got to-
gether, rented an oiBee, bought a small sheet iron safe, put tip a sign
and opened up a bank — very simple and easy— and all going along
■comfortably until the commissioners heard of the afl'air, when they
promptly suspended its functions, took charge and turned its afl'airs over
to a trustee. The anomaly of the thing was that, though started so ex-
tremely irregularly, without leave or license had been honestly con-
ducted and all its debts to the public paid in full. It was a "close
shave" for the projectors and they were undoubtedly glad to settle
on any terms.
The utter failure of the free banks discredited the chartered banks
and caused their ruin. In January, 1839, there remained transacting
business five chartered hanks in Detroit, with a branch at St, Joseph,
seven chartered country banks, and fourteen associations under the gen-
eral law: at the end of that year only four chartered banks and four
free banks were alive, and of these eight banks half of them failed soon
after.
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350 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Bank op River Raisin
The Bank of River Raisin should justly not be included in the list
of banks mentioned. It was regularly organized and competently con-
ducted, and survived ten years, went into voluntary liquidation and
paid off all its obligations. The last notes issued by the bank were dated
September, 1844. The president was Austin E. Wing of Monroe, uncle
of the cashier of the People's State Bank of Detroit.
Federal Bankrupt Law
The first efficient remedy for the evils of the vicious methods of
banking was the Federal bankrupt law of 1841. It brought scanty divi-
dends to creditors, but it relieved debtors from their crushing burdens
and permitted themi sobered and in their right minds, to enter once
more the field of industry and activity. Thereafter wildcat banking was
a by-word in the state. But the lessons it taught needed to be learned at
some time and were not likely to be learned except with experience as
teacher. One of its lessons was that real estate nor anything else not
immediately convertible into money can support the credit of bank
currency.
State Curbs on Speculation
John S. Barry was elected governor in the year named, a selection
most wise and fortunate. He was a native of Vermont, where he had
been trained to habits of industry and frugality. As a pioneer mer-
chant in Michigan he had accumulated a very comfortable fortune for
those days, and had pas.sed through the period of business depression
and distress without asking an extension or failing to meet an obligation.
He had not been at all in sympathy with the speculative spirit that had
swept over the west. He did not believe that it was the province
of the state to engage in works of internal improvement, but since the
state had already commenced such works, advocated keeping up those
that were of real value until they could be sold upon advantageous terms
to corporations or individuals. Frequent schemes for getting money o\it
of the public treasury arose for the benefit of private enterprises ; these
he vetoed or barred by his persoiial influence. His power was all the
greater because he had the appointment of all the judges and the heads
of all departments.
When the state constitution was adopted in 1835 the population was
estimated at 87,000. It had few organized townships and fewer organized
counties; it had no manufacturing worth mentioning, and had not yet
commenced the development on any considerable scale of its resources
in copper, iron and salt. In 1840 the census gave Michigan 397,364 popu-
lation and there bad been established a large variety of industrial inter-
ests whose regulation was not embraced within the limits of that instru-
ment. Besides that, its experience with internal improvements and wild-
cat banks had impressed upon the people the necessity for constitutional
provision which would prevent such extravagance and recklessness in the
future. A constitutional convention was accordingly called, which
adopted a very radical proposition.
The governor, Mr. Barry, was greatly interested in this convention
and in all its proceedings to such an extent, in fact, that Wilbur P.
Story, then editing a paper in Mason, Ingham county, openly chained
the governor with interfering personally with the work of its committees
and using his official powers to influence its conclusions. This Mr. Storey
was afterwards part owner and the aggressive editor for several years of
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 351
the Detroit Free Press, and later of the Chicago Times. The governor
denied these imputations and was believed to he exercising his rights
and influence in the right direction hy his constituents, while it is true
and very apparent that his strong personality and mentality were im-
pressed upon tlie constitution that was framed. There were many wise
and economical provisions intended to safeguard the interests of the
people of the state. For instance, in the way of preventing hasty legis-
lation it provided that the second and third reading of bills in the leg-
islature should not occur on the same day, and that a majority vote of
all the members-elect to both houses should be necessary for the pas-
sage of a bill or resolution. It required the legislature to provide a
sinking fund for the public debt which fund should be increased an-
nually, at least 5 per cent until the whole debt was extinguished. It
prohibited the issuance of state script and contained many features
that were calculated to raise the credit of the state, which had suffered
severely during the wildcat days.
To Restrain Wild Banking
The constitution of 1835 required the state to inaugurate works of
internal improvement, but that of 1850 was more emphatic against this
action. It prohibited the state not only from engaging directly or indi-
rectly in such works, but from loaning its credit to individuals or cor-
porations for that or any other purpose. Having thus secured the state
as far as possible against hasty legislation and public debt, and placed
restriction upon the tendency to individual speculation, the convention
sought to restrain banking within safe and suitable limits hy forbidding
all special acts of incorporation and providing that no general banking
law should be valid unless approved by a majority vote of the people at
a general election. No action was taken under this clause of the con-
stitution for seven years, which is rather strange, under the circum-
stances; but two banks were organised under the act of 1837, providing
for special charters under the 1850 constitution, no special charters
could be granted.
There was an interval therefore of twenty years during which but
little capital took the form of incorporated banks in the state. This
opened up an opportunity for the formation of private banks and loaning
firms h ch rapidly came into existence and connected with which were
many iien who afterwards became prominent in financial circles, and
hose k o vledge of credits afterwards made them useful as officers and
or^a zers of national and state banks.
Wool and Wheat Markets
The business of the state was increasing rapidly and lai^e amounts
of currency were necessary to move the products of the farmers and
manufacturers. Wool was the staple product, and generally a cash
product, and Boston was the principal and controlling market for that
textile in this country ; large sums of currency were sent from that city
every spring to Detroit and Monroe, and thence distributed throughout
the wool-growing districts. Upwards of 15,000,000 pounds was in one
year shipped to eastern markets, bringing into the state about $5,000,000
less the usual commissions, exchanges and transportation charges.
Monroe was an important wool market and the leading merchants,
James Armitage, William H. Boyd, R. O'Connor were heavy buyers for
Boston and other New England markets, paying out large sums of money
to farmers, thereby helping in a marked degree the development of the
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352 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
eounty. Besides these dealers there were often outside parties in the
market as buyers and sometimes the prices were boosted by competition,
very muoh to the advantage of the Seller.
The wheat market at Monroe was also a factor in the commerce be-
tween Michigan and the east. Our facilities for shipping were equal to
those of Detroit— sometimes better, and it was not unusual to see teams
in the streets with loads of grain drawn from Branch and St. Joseph
counties, sixty to seventy miles distant.
Bank of River Kaisin Contim'ei.i
It is believed that the first bank organized in Monroe was the Bank
of River Raisin, at least that was the first legitimate effort at substantial
and permanent banking, owning its own building. This stood on Wash-
ington street at the northwest comer of the public square, and presented
quite an imposing appearance with its row of lofty, massive Corinthian
columns. A view of this building is seen on page 348. After the bank
had passed out ef existence the building was used for a private banking
office by Smith and Clarke, a firm organized in 1858, composed of Stephen
G. Clarke and Dr. "William M. Smith, which, however, discontinued busi-
ness after a few years. The postoffice then occupied the building until
its destiTJction by fire in 1868.
The Act op 1857
The character of banking underwent important changes in Michigan
following and caused by the general banking act of 1857, but' the in-
difference with which attempts to improve matters and provide the
surest safeguards in our public financial operations were manifested
when the legislature of 1861 submitted to a vote of the people an amend-
ment to the general banking law to create a single bank with branches
and containing other radical and important provisions, was most sig-
nificant and surprising.
It might he naturally supposed that such a public measure authoriz-
ing an institution that might modify or change the entire banking system
of the state and one that gave additional security to note holders would
attract very general attention and excite much discussion. But that it
did neither is shown by the vote upon the r|uestion ; with a total vote of
6,111 the measure carried by a majority of 5,067, while the total vote for
governor on the same occasion was 130,818.
The financial history of Michigan presents many strange and mys-
terious characteristics that not only arouse wonder at their eccentricities,
but a vast amount of interest in the working out of the problems. One
feature that attracts unfavorable comment was the granting of charters
to railroad companies to establish banks. A special session of the terri-
torial council in 1835 passed an act authorizing the Macomb & Saginaw
Railroad Company and the River Raisin and Grand River Railroad Com-
pany to establish banks, under very liberal conditions. But that they
were not needed or wanted is shown by the fact that no advantage was
taken of these acts, except in two instances: The Erie & Kalamazoo
Railroad Bank and the Detroit & St. Joseph Railroad Bank. The latter
transacted business at Jackson, Michigan, for several years.
First Telegraph Well Tked
An episode of the early trials and tribulations typical of pioneer
banks and banking in Michigan in connection with the experiences of the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 353
old Farmers & Mechanics Bank is related by one who is familiar with
many interesting occurrences of that daj-. That bank was not only the
foster-mother of the first express company esta[)lished in Detroit, but
was file dry-nurse of tlie first telegraph office in the town. The bank was
situated on the south side of Jefferson ai'enue, between Shelby and Gris-
wold streets, in an oM building wliich was demolished a few years ago
to make room for a business block. There were two other tenants of the
building, the express company occupying the basement, the telegraph
company the second story, and the bank on the ground floor.
The incident occurred the same day that the telegraph office was
opened for business as far as Jackson. This event was tiie occasion of
great interest and the people were mildly excited over tlie great advance
in scii^nce and possibility of rapid intercourse with the outside world.
While this was going on the cashier of the bank in his pride in the bank
was showing a New York friend tlie magnitude of the transactions of
the institution, exhibiting the figures of a ledger kept by a system of
bookkeeping, so complicated that it subsequently wore out his mental
powers, also those of his successors, in vain attempts to unravel its mys-
teries and intricacies.
Turning over leaf after leaf to shoiv the visitor the various methods of
recording the transactions to show that his position in the bank was not
a sinecure by any means, his eye fell on a certain entry. Staring at it a
moment, lie suddenly closed the book and without an excuse for his
erratic movements darte<l out of the office and up the street at a record
speed. The New Yorker stared and ivondered what had happened, but
waited his friend's return. lie waited an hour, very impatientiy, but
no cashier turned up. The clerks in the bank were equally mystified and
astonished at the sudden and prolonged Hbsence of their chief. Finally
the perplexed visitor returned to his hotel. Al'tei' supper he concluded
to again call at the bank and investigate; for in those days banks closed
at almost any old time, and frequently transacted more business at night
than in the hours of daylight.
The missing cashier was there and fully prepared witii an ample
apology. He explained that while showing tlie big ledger his eye hap-
pened to fall upon an entry nnder the head of "Bills discounted, past
due." The bill was for >^:i.i)00 and had been overdue just six yeai-s to a
day ! The maker of flie obligation was a man residing near Jackson. He
suddenly remembered that the telegraph line was opened that day to
Jackson. "Wliat was to be done? It was three o'clock in the afternoon.
He ran to the office of one of the bank's attorneys, returned with him
and at once sent a message to an attorney in Jackson to commence suit
that <lay to prevent outlawry. The machinery was set in motion and
suit commeneed before dark. This dynamic procedure was eminently
successful in its results. The bank obtained security and tinally pay-
Tiient in full of (be debt.
TiJE First Nation. \i. B,\,\k
The First National Bank of Monroe may be said to be a lineal de-
scendant from the old Bank of Monroe, created in the territorial days of
Michigan, or about the year 1827-8. It was during that period of early
financiering, when "Wild Cat" banks were flourishing, and all previous
and subseiiuent systems of banking were set at naught, and the flights
of financial gains were loft.v, if not sublime. The "Bank of Monroe"
faijed in 1837, in common with hundreds of other western and eastern
institutions. 'J'liere were five banks in Monroe county, the Bank of
Monroe, the Bank of the River Raisin, the Jlerehants & Jtecbanics Bank,
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354 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
the Bank of Brest, and the Bank of Manhattan, — capitalized each for
from $100,000, to $1,000,000, but with total cash assets of about $10,000.
(In the chapter of "banks, bankers and banking" some attention in
detail is devoted to this period of Monroe banks.)
]n the year 1854, Charles G. Johnson who had been a dry goods
merchant in Monroe for many years, sold his business to tlorrison
Paulding, who had recently realized a handsome sum of money from the
be'iuest of a relative and with the cash thus made available, Mr, John-
son joined with Talcott E. Wing, in establishing a banking ofBee under
the tirm name of Wing and Johnson. This partnership continued until
the ei-eation of national banks by act of congress, when steps were taken
to organize a national bank in Monroe, the nucleus of which was the
banking firm of Wing and Johnson. Application was made for a charter
under this act, signed by Caleb Ives, Wm. H. Boyd, T. E. Wing, C. G.
Johnson, and recommended by JaJ2ob M. Howard and Zachariah Chand-
ler, senators from Michigan, both of Detroit; Fernando C. Beaman,
member of congress, and H. P. Baldwin, president of the Second National
bank of Detroit. The bank was finally organized with $100,000 capital,
in August 20, 1865, the following being incorporators: William White,
Newport, 250 shares; Charles G. Johnson, 200 shares; Wm. H. Boyd,
250 shares; Caleb Ives, 200 shares; T. E. Win^;, 100 shares; the par
value of shares being $100 each. Caleb Ives was the first president and
Charles G. Johnson, cashier, T. E. Wing, vice-president. The sum of
$1,000 was voted by the directors as a bonus to Wing and Johnson for
the transfer of their business. The new bank went into operation on
November 1, 1865, in the building occupied by Wing and Johnson to
whose business it succeeded. The bank continued to occupy these
premises until 1911, when it removed into the new and elegant
offices among the finest in the state, built by the bank, on the
corner of Front and Washington streets, where it now transacts a
very large business with a clientele extending over the entire county.
The officers of the bank are as follows: General Geo. Spalding, presi-
dent ; Edward C. Rauch, vice-president ; WilHam G. Gutmann, cashier ;
Fred J. Sill, assistant cashier. Directors, General Geo. Spalding, Wm.
G. Gutmann, E. C. Rauch, Fred J. Sill, John E. Landon.
The bank building was erected for banking purposes and con-
tains every modem convenience for the use of the bank and its patrons.
The second floor is devoted to suites of oilfiees, reached by a hall from
Washington street. These are handsomely finished and provided with
all the accessories of the modern office building. The occupants are
Charles R, Wing, A. L. Hanson, John M. Bulkley, A. B. Bragdon,
Thornton Dixon.
The Monroe State Savings Bank
This, the youngest of Monroe's financial institutions was organized in
April, 1905, and opened for business September 7 following, with a
capital of $50,000, and reserve of $6,000, and with the subjoined list of
officers and directors, constituting the first board of managers: J. A.
Baker, president ; L. W. Newcomer, vice-president ; H. H. Bridge, cashier ;
W. A. Meier, assistant cashier. Directors: J. A. Baker, H. H. Bridge,
L. W. Newcomer, Edmond Dull, L. C. Knapp, E, C. Betz, F. H. Hum-
phry, H. E. French, C. A. Boelime. Dr. Baker, the president, sold his
holdings in the bank a couple of years later and retired, when L. C.
Knapp was elected to succeed him and still remains at the head of the
bank.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 355
At the last election of officers, the following were chosen : L. C.
Knapp, president; John P. Bronson, vice-president; Walter A. Meier,
cashier; A. E. Durbar, assistant cashier. The total assets, at this time,
November, 1912, are somewhat over $400,000.
B. Dansard & Son's State Bank
111 1836, while Michigan was still a territory, Benjamin Dniisard
came from Paris to Monroe and entered the mercantile business. By
good business methods his business increased, keeping pace with the
growth of the town. In 1858 the need of a banking institution was
apparent and Mr. Dansard decided to supply it. He formed a co-part-
nership with Louis Lafountain, and opened a bank in the back of his
store, and it proved so successful he decided to follow it exclusively.
He at once purchased the building on the comer of Washington and
Front streets, where the banking house is now located, and upon its
completion disposed of his mercantile business, and devoted all of his
energies to building up the bank. At this time he took into partner-
ship his son Joseph, and B. Dansard & Son's Bank was successfully
launched. Twenty years after it was founded, Joseph Dansard died,
and Benjamin Dansard, Jr., who at the age of twenty had been taken
in as a partner, became the active manager of the institution.
In 1888 Benjamin Dansard, the founder of the bank died, and
Benjamin Dansard, Jr., became its head. On the first of January,
1893, Boyez Dansard, the oldest son of Benjamin Dansard, Jr., entered
the hanking house of his father as a partner and a perpetuation of the
old established firm of B. Dansard & Son, making the second and third
generation now in control. This continued until 1903, when Benjamin
Dansard, Jr., died. Boyez Dansard then succeeded to the presidency,
and the latter's brother, Benjamin Dansard IN, became a partner.
The business continued to be successfully conducted under the
original firm name until 1905, when B. Dansard & Son's Bank recog-
nizing the tendency toward state and national banks, decided to incor-
porate into a state bank. The change went into effect on September Ist
of that year, and the bank has since been known as B. Dansard & Son's
State Bank. It was capitalized at $50,000. In reading the names of
the new stockholders it could be seen at a glance that they were among
the city's best business and financial men. Insuring as it did their
efforts for the promotion of the bank's future progress, the wisdom of
the change was readily recognized. Under the new conditions, Boyez
Dansard remained at the head as its president, Benjamin Freidenherg
became vice-president, and Benjamin Dansard retained the position of
cashier.
With the continuance of the able management, the bank's business
developed a remarkable and gratifying growth, and the stockholders
and directors had for some time been considering the advisability of
increasing the capital stock. Flans were quietly perfected and in April,
1910, at a special meeting of the stockholders it was unanimously voted
to increase the stock from $50,000 to $100,000. Most of the stockholders
took advantage of the opportunity to increase their holdings, the balance
was distributed among fifty-one of Monroe's progressive men. To
accommodate the increased business which was growing steadily, it was
further decided to enlarge the bank building. The bank purchased the
store adjoining it on the east, on Front street, which was embodied in,
and made uniform with the present building. The safety and conven-
ience of the new banking house is admirably provided for. Every known
mechanical protection against fire and robbery has been installed. There
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356 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
is first the safety deposit vault. This is two stories in height and built
of concrete and steel; the walls being practically impregnable and
absolutely fire-proof Within this outer vault is the safety deposit
vault, itself of design and material to defy all dangers from fire and
robbery. Added to this, the best electric system of burglar and fire
alarm in the market has been installed.
In another vault is the safe, in a cabinet which is also electric lined
The system of alarms are operated by a time lock device, which makes
it impossible for any one, whether employee or outsider, to enter the
vault without ringing the bell. Besides being tire and burglar proof
the safety deposit vault has other protective features for papers and
valuables stored therein.
IMuch might be written about the successful career of B. Dansard
& Son's State Bank. Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be
paid to the management, is the statement that at no time during its
existence was there a time when it could not meet every obligation.
It has weathered many financial storms, and its policy while progressive,
has ever been careful and conservative, so that it has well merited the
unqualified confidence reposed in its integrity and stability.
At the present writing the officers are: Boyez Dansard, president;
Benjamin Freidenberg, vice-president ; Benjamin Dansard, cashier, and
Carl Kiburtz, assistant cashier. The directors are: Dr. P. S. Root,
Benjamin Freidenberg, Boyez Dansard, Benjamin Dansard, E. L. Dan-
sard, and E. E. Gilday.
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CHAPTER XXVII
CRIMES AGAINST BANKS
The Hank op Rivek Raisin — The Criminal — The; Cashier — First
Advances in Pij3T— Attempted Murder — Would-Be Murderer
Sentenced — Cashier Recovers — First National Burglary and
Robbery — Burglary op La Fountain & Lokanger Bank
The history of banks and banking in Monroe is an interesting one,
though it necessarily embraces some of the unpleasant incidents, and
encounters a limited number of the dangerous episodes which heset the
■ course of financial institutions. With the exception of Detroit, no other
city of Michigan has a longer or more varied banking record. It has an
interesting past, as it has a prosperous present, and a richly promising
future.
Yet a tragedy of most somber liue has a place in its annals, which,
even in the early days when it was perpetrated, the circumstances of its
enormity and black treachery, aroused not only this quiet community
on the Raisin, hnt caused the most profound sensation in the general
public.
The Rank op River Raisin
The story as told by a still living resident of Monroe, is vividly remem-
bered and clearly narrated, which runs as follows: In the early "for-
ties" for several years, the "Bank of the River Raisin" was one of
the most stanch and important in the commonwealth of Michigan. The
bank occupied a building of its own, on Washington street, at the north-
west corner of the public squate, the site now occupied by the Park
Hotel. It was decidedly a striking and substantial structure of brick,
two stories in height, having a row of heavy Corinthian columns along
its front reaching the height of the two stories. (See illustration in
chapter on "Banks and Banking.")
The bank usually carried quite a large amount of specie and currency
to meet the demands of business of the growing town, for the mail, ex-
press and telegraphic facilities of three quarters of a century ago were
not such as they are today — and it was not, as now, possible to provide
for an emergency on an hour's notice. Silver coin, the principal eircu-
]a.ting medium, was transported between Detroit and Monroe in kegs
or boxes, by stage or by private conveyance as required, a mode of trans-
portation offering excellent opportunity for highwaymen to practice
their vocation, — though "hold-ups" were rare. At the time when a
special temptation was offered, which led to the crime referred to, the
bank was known to have in its vault an nnusnally heavy amount of cash.
The Criminal
There lived in the town a man of dissolute habits — a "black sheep"
in a most respectable family. He had no regular occupation-— but ocea-
357
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358 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
sionally worked at the trade of a tinner — in fact one of the class who
spend a part of their time looking for trouble and seldom fail to find it
■without the aid of a microscope.
The Cashier
At this time the cashier of the bank was Sir. Lewis Hail, a young man
of high character, who was custodian of the bank's funds. He was also
quite interested in the reformation of the ne'er-do-well, who we will
call Wells, and on many an occasion had extricated him from difficulties,
and was constantly using his influence to direct him towards a better life.
First Advances in Plot
One evening as Mr. Hall was sitting in the public room of the Ex-
change Hotel, Wells appeared at the door and called Mr. Hall out. He
informed Mr. Hall that he was bringing a keg or two of specie from De-
troit, to deposit in his bank, that he had met with an accident a short dis-
tance north of the city and asked his assistance in bringing it to the bank,
also stating that a lantern would better be obtained at the bank, for he
had secreted the silver in the woods, and it could be more easily found
with a lantern. (This was apparently done for the purpose of ascer-
taining if Hall had the keys to the bank, )
The Attempted Murder
The lantern having been procured, the two men drove northward;
arriving at the spot where the silver was alleged to have been eoneealed,
they entered the woods which grew thickly along both sides of the road ;
not many steps had been taken, when Hall, who was carrying the lan-
tern, heard a sharp though not loud noise resembling the snapping of a
percussion cap.
Startled slightly, Hall asked of his companion, "What was that
noise. Wells?" He replied, "I stepped on a dry twig and broke it."
Directly Hall heard a pistol shot (this time the percussion cap had
not missed fire) and felt the sting of a bullet, and turned quickly upon
Wells, crying ,' ' What in the world are you doing, man ; you 've shot me ! "
The other explained that he was trying to get his pistol out of his
pocket and it was accidentally discharged.
Still unsuspicious. Hall said, "Well, you had better be more careful.
I am not hurt much, but I don't want any more accidents."
Hardly had he uttered the words than a second shot was heard, and
a bullet took effect in Hall's body, and brought him to the ground.
"Are you trying to murder me, Wells? What does all this mean?
Take me back to town at once. I am badly hurt, ' '
Wells helped his victim up and to the wagon, unhitched the team and
started back to Monroe, driving rapidly until reaching the river, when,
instead of crossing the Macomb street bridge, as he should have done,
he drove down a short but steep incline leading to the river, which was
occasionally used for watering horses, or to reach a fording place, when
the water in the stream was at a low stage.
Hall cried out, "Where are you going, are you crazy, man? drive me
home at once!"
The river was crossed, and the wagon driven south on Macomb street,
but instead of stopping at Hall's home, which was in a small house at the
southwest corner of First and Macomb streets, known now as the Armit-
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 359
age corner, he drove past, crossing Second street until opposite the pres-
ent Waldorf house.
Hall, thoroughly alarmed, managed to throw himself from the
wiigqn, and then to painfully crawl to his home. Here surgical aid was
summoned and the alarm given. Wells coolly drove his team to the
bam where he had procured the outfit earlier in the evening, made
no attempt to escape, went to the "Exchange" wliere he lodged, and
after visiting the bar, retired to his room.
WocLD-BE Murderer Sentexceji
By the arrival of daylight, the report of the affair had been spread
through the village, and a crowd gathered at the hotel, demanding that
Wells to be turned over to them. But the city officers had already secured
Wells and put him safely in jail. He adhered to the story of accidental
shooting and showed a hole in hia coat pocket where the bullet had cut
through, but it availed him nothing. He was tried at the next session
of the circuit court and sentenced to the state prison, at hard labor for
twenty years. After the expiration of his sentence he is supposed to
have gone to the Pacific coast, where he is said to have been seen by an
acquaintance.
C.vsHiEB Recovers
Mr. Hall recovered from his wounds, but carried one of the bullets
in his body during the remainder of his life. The theory of this at-
tempted murder and robbery, coupled with the outrageous circumstances
of ingratitude and treachery towards his only friend, is, that Wells
had in some way learned that there was a large amount of money in the
bank, and that Mr. Hall carried the keys to the bank and its vault,
devised this desperate scheme to decoy Hall to the woods, as he did. there
to shoot him to death, possess himself of the keys, loot the bank, and
escape with his plunder in the wagon which he had hired for that pur-
pose. Of course there were no kegs of specie to be conveyed to the bank,
they had no existence, whatever, except in Wells' false story. The
plot which was a most diabolical one, must have succeeded had not Wells
lost his nerve and courage, like the arrant coward that he, desperate
scoundrel, was..
Mr. Hall was restored to bis position in the bank and lived for many
years in Cleveland, Ohio.
First Nation'al Burgl.vky .\nd Robbery
Another sensational incident in the banking experience of Monroe,
was the burglary and robbery of the First National Bank, on Novem-
ber 24, 1875, which stirred the city to its verj- center. It was one of the
boldest and most successful crimes of the kind that had occurred in
Michigan in years. The story is told in the Detroit Free Press of the
25th of November, the day following, which, somewhat abridged is
here given: "The business portion of Monroe was electrified this morn-
ing by the report that the First National Bank had been burglarized
at an early hour, and a large sum of money taken. Entrance to the
bank was first thought to have been effected through one of the front
doors which it had been customary to keep closed and locked. The
supposition is that the thieves were in the bank during the day previous,
and iinperceived, unlocked this door, in the hope that it might escape
notice, when closing the bank at night, which would afford them easy
and noiseless entrance. This theory was logical because the door was
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360 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
partly open, and the glass panel unbroken. A young man named
Durell, watchman, who slept in the directors' room in the rear, connected
with the banking office by two doors, was awakened, he states. l)y the
opening of the front door, and with his revolver in hand, partly rose,
and peered through the connecting door into the bank, while the robbers,
three in number, suddenly confronted him with their pistols, and coiii-
manded silence, and bound him securely, bandaged his eyes, and carried
him into the front office. A wagon was heard to drive up the street
door, and directly two or three bundles or bags were brought into the
bank, and active operations at once began.
"There was no vault in this bank, but the funds and other valuables
were kept in two lai-ge safes, which, while formidable in appearance,
were very old-fashioned affairs, which would offer no great obstacle
to the skilled burglar. In one of these which stood in the rear room,
was a large amount of currency, bonds, and some specie; a portion of
which was on special deposit at owners' risk, totaling some $25,000 or
$30,000. This safe was at once attacked, the hinges knocked off with
sledge hammers, the plates drilled and what must have been a large
quantity of powerful explosives, forced into the door. When all was
ready, the operators all retired into the front room, when, almost imme-
diately a terrific explosion took place, shaking the building to its founda-
tion and shattering the safe, woodwork and glass windows. The inner
compartments of the safe were opened by the lueans of crow bars and
chisels and acc^s gained to the funds, which were removed, to the last
dollar ; within a quarter of an hour, the bound watchman said, the entire
gang, with their plunder were leaving the place.
"Just before the work upon the safe began, two of the robbers ex-
plored the building, stairway, and hall on the second floor. Here they
found an old man named Phillips, who had taken refuge there for the
night ; him they secured and took inside the bank, placing him alongside
the watchman, neither of the two captives were treated harshly they state.
Near the bank is a livery stable in the office of which was a watch dog,
which they silenced with a ball from one of their revolvers. There were
two men sleeping there, who were bound fast, and cautioned to make
no sound, on peril of their lives.
"The scene of the explosion in the bank was one of utter destruction
and wreck. The heavy door of the safe was blown against the opposite
wall of the room, fifteen feet away, and debris of all kinds fillwl the
space. A clock which hung in the room stopped at 2 ;30, doubtless indi-
cating the time of the explosion. Tools of the burglars were left scat-
tered about, together with tin cans and boxes. There were probably
fifty people sleeping within a hundred feet of the bank building; but
not more than five were sufficiently aroused to realize that something
of a startling character was going on, but none of these investigated the
cause. It is supposed that the burglars, after leaving the bank scattered
in different directions. The wagon heard by Durell, was again heard
leaving the bank, where it had evidently remained, during the robbery ;
this probably conveyed away a part of the gang, while a hand car that
was missed in the morning from the railroad station, took the remainder.
The horse and wagon had been stolen from a farmer near Monroe, and
was left by the thieves about three miles from the city."
No trace of the burglars, further than this, was ever found, though
two or three arrests were made of suspects, and not a dollar of the
money recovered. Taking into consideration all the circumstances of
the robbery, the location of the bank, in the very heart of the business
section, the apparently reckless manner of procedure of the criminals
and their leisurely treatment of the job, the risks taken, it may be classed
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 361
as one of the boldest robberies that ever occurred in Michigan. No
public statement was made of the total amount of the loss, but the finan-
cial standing of the bank was not affected in the least, nor was there
any special uneasiness manifested by depositors as to tbe security of
the institution.
Burglary of La Fountain & Lobakger Bank
The private bank of La Fountain & Loranger, was also the victim of
burglars about ten years later. In this instance entrance to the bank
was gained by cutting out an opening in the fioor of the bank, from the
basement beneath. The safe or vault was blown and the contents re-
moved, without disturbance to the sleeping neiglibors, and the burglars
escaped without molestation, with a large air.ount of money and se-
curities. This bank occupied the ground floor of the southeast comer
of Front and Monroe streets, the most prominent business corner in
the eity. In this ease as in that of the First National Bank, no lUew
to the burglars was ever found.
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CHAPTER XXVI] J.
COMMEECIAL DEPRESSIONS
Depressions op 1819-22— Revivals op 1824 and 1827— Wild-Cat
Schemes and Panic op 1837 — "Ups and Downs (1839-56)— Panic
OP 1857— Periods of Commercial Depressions.
Tile panic of 1819 caused by the inflation of the currency, succeed-
ing the War of 1812, began to he felt uncomfortably about the first of
April of the former year, when the Bank of the United States set about
putting its affairs in order, and uncovered the rottenness of New York,
Philadelphia and Boston banks.
Depressions of 1819-22
Monroe was more or less affected, because the disturbance inter-
fered with the settlement of the territory, and delayed the emigration
which had begun to set in towards this place. By the month of August
in that year, the business of the country was prostrated. In the then
small city of Philadelphia there were twenty thousand people throng-
ing the streets looking for employment. Thirty traders of that city
which usually employed about ten thousand persons reduced their
combined force to two thousand with the same ratio prevailing in the
other large cities of the east. Thei'e were a few failures among the
dealers in Detroit, but Monroe, being a very small community, with
no manufacturing at all worth mentioning, and but small general
stores, catering only to the people who bought the simple necessaries
of life, did not suffer materially, except in the manner stated, in the
falling oif in the number of emigrants from the east. This, however,
was serious enough because there were no signs of a general revival
of business until June, 1821. By October, the movement was fairly
started toward better times. A set-back, however, was experienced in
December, 1822, when a reaction in manufacturing occurred, which
reduced prices sharply, amounting, in a case of cotton goods to as much
as fifty per cent.
Revivals of 1824 and 1827
Business recovered from this, and went on improving rapidly.
The general prosperity was very marked in 1824, and everything was
going on swimmingly. In 1826 a panic was caused by commercial and
financial disturbances in England, which was felt finite severely in this
country, and lasted through the years 1826 and 1827.
In the latter part of the year a revival in business came, and the
country entered upon a period of prosperity; business increased rap-
idly, with but few temporary stringencies, in which Monroe and all
western towns participated, and in this year there were many arrivals
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 363
of business men and farmers to engage in business and in the general
movement to buiid up the west; and of others, seeking farming lands,
mill sites, etc.
Wild-Cat Schemes and Panic of 1837
It was during this period that many wild-cat schemes were exploited
in this neighborhood, which by their impracticable and visionary na-
ture, met disaster and ruin, carrying with them other more meritorious
enterprises. Monroe had its share of these schemes, and became so
involved that when the panic of 1837 struck, which was one of the
most disastrous that was ever precipitated upon the country, it was in
a deplorable condition, many fortunes were wiped out, and young and
growing business firms were reduced to bankruptcy. The brunt of the
crash occurred in the great centers of trade, as usual, especially severe in
New York, in March; and by April, the whole country succumbed.
This depression continued throughout 1837, but the following year the
sun began to shine through the dark clouds, trade revived, and the
banks generally resumed specie payments in August. Matters began
to assume a little brighter aspect for the struggling towns west of
Buffalo.
"I'Pri AND Downs" (1839-56)
This however sustained a disastroTis check in 1839, caused by the de-
fective banking system, or lack of systems, and the irresponsible meth-
ods by which so-called banks were allowed to begin and conduct busi-
ness. A special chapter is devoted to this period, during which 543 of
the 850 banks then doing business were wiped out of existence and
entailed wide spread disaster and losses. With its wonderful recuper-
ative powers, the country, again got upon its feet, and passed two
years of prosperity.
In 1843 a revolution took place which lasted throughout the year,
and which was very seriously felt in the west. The years 1844 and
1845 saw a great betterment of conditions; financial institutions were
upon a more substantial and conservative basis, and confidence was
restored to a satisfactory extent. This comfortable state continued
until 1851, where it received a temporary chill, encountered a mild
panic, which fortunately was not of long diiration, and the years 1855
and 1856 were very prosperous seasons.
Panic op 1857
During 1857. the farmers suffered severely from bad crops, and
consequently this had its logical effect upon the business of the coun-
try. Great uneasiness prevailed and apprehensions of trouble which
finally came on the 24th of August, when the Ohio Life and Trust
Company of Cincinnati failed with $7,000,000 of liabilities. This
started the ball rolling, and between the 12th of September and the
13th of October, the banks of Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, the
New York banks with the exception of the Chemical Bank, all suspended
payment, followed within a few days by all the Boston banks. The ex-
citement in the country was unparalleled, and the business in the west
was prostrated. This marked the elimax of the trouble. On December
11th the New York banks resumed specie payment, and others followed
along one after another. Another of the wonderful exhibitions of the
vitality and energy and hopefulness of the business communities was fur-
nished in the rapid revival of business which ensued.
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364 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Periods op Commercial DErREssiONS
A recapitulation of the foregoing shows that the length of eommereial
depressions has been in duration as follows : That of 1819, two years ; 1825,
two years and a half; 1837, one year and a half; 1843, one year; 1853,
six months; 1857, six months.
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CHAPTER XXIX
IIAEBOR AND TRANSPOKTATTOX
RaILKOADS TbAVEBSIN'G the C'OUNTY FlKHT XOR Til WESTERN RAILEOAD
Operated — The Michigan Southern Railroad— Erie and Kalama-
zoo Railroad Company Incobtorated — Foi.-rth Year ov Michigan
Southern — Railroad Under Way at Last (Detroit , Monroe,
Adrian)— Detroit and Chicago — Maumee Branch Railroad Com-
pany—River Raisin and Grand River Railroad — Manhattan and
Havre Railroad — La Plaisance Bay Harbor Company — Northern
Division op the Detroit, Monroe and Toledo — La Plaisance Bay —
The Ship C.inal — The Transportation Business for 1912.
Monroe eomity does not lack ample transportation facilities; not
less than eight railroad lines intersecting it in all directions, and few
portions of it are beyond the sound of the loeomotivo whistle and the roar
of the nninerous heavily laden trains as they whirl through the county
every hour of the day. Thriving villages and many passenger and freight
stations have sprung up along their pathway to facilitate and augment
the substantial growth and development, where but a comparatively few
years ago stood the great forests in their primeval and hi.\uriaut splpndor,
where the only highways were Indian trails.
iiAU.ROADS Tr.VVERSING THE COUNTY
I'iirallel with tlie western shore of Lake Erie and separated i>y a dis-
tance of but a few rods or a half mile, the Lake Shore Railroad, and the
Michigan Central traverse the county from north to south, between De-
troit and Toledo; while still another line, the Detroit and Toledo Shore
Line parallels both the former.
The latter road was built either as an independent line or as a branch
of the Wabash Railroad, to give it a terminal in Detroit, and it was un-
doubtedly contemplated to include the operation of an electric local line,
for it was double tracked and fully equipped for both steam and elec-
tricity, and provided with station buildings at the principal towns, along
the line. The plans for electric service were later changed and the
e<itiipment sold to the Detroit United Railway, and a portion of it utilized
on their line from Monroe to Detroit. The whole property and franchise
of the Shore Line was afterwards sold to the Grand Trunk Railroad Sys-
tem, and has siuee been operated by that company, exclusively as a
freight line, no passenger service having ever been installed between De-
troit and Toledo.
To the westivard, the Pere Mai'{[uette Railroad enters the county from
the north, swings to the southeast near Monroe, and passes through the
western portion of the city about a mile west of the Lake Shore tracks,
of the Detroit division — and crosses the main line of this road a few rods
south of its passenger station, which is located on Front street a short
distance from the River Raisin.
i!65
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366 HISTORY OF MONKOE COUNTY
The Detroit, Toledo and Iroiiton, formerly the Detroit and Lima
Northern Railroad enters the county from the westj from Dundee it
turns northeast, crossing the Pere Marquette at the village of Carleton,
and enters "Wayne county at the northeast corner of the township of
Ash. This line has always experienced serious difficulties arising from
the fact that it had no suitable connections at either its north or south
terminal, and was sadly handicapped by lack of adequate capital, and
limited patronage. In 1812 the courts ordered it to close its business
and to cease running trains because it had no means of serving the pub-
lic; the only logical outcome seems to be a sale or lease of the property
to the Pennsylvania System by which the latter could secure a much
needed entrance to Detroit from the south.
The Aim Arbor railroad, heading for Toledo passes in nearly an exact
northeast and southwestern line through the townships of Milan and
Dundee, to its junction at Alexis with the Pere Marquette ; nearly par-
allel with it the Toledo-Adrian branch of the Lake Shore cuts the ex-
treme southwestern corner of the county. The original main line of the
Lake Shore, from Monroe to Adrian now designated as the Monroe-
Adrian branch, (which historic line will be noticed, at length, further
along) is the only line running east and west, within the limits of the
county, passing through Ida, Petersburg, and crossing the Ann Arbor
road at Fuderman.
First Northwestern Railroads Operated
The two roads, branches of the Lake Shore, running from Monroe to
Adrian, and from Toledo to Adrian have an extraordinary historical
interest, being the first railroads to be built and operated in the north-
west.
The Toledo-Adrian road was built by private capital in 1835 or 1836,
and was called the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad. Its charter permitted
the building and operating railroads, not only, but banking privileges,
as well, including the right to issue its own currency, of which the own-
ers eagerly took advantage and put out a large amount of very hand-
somely engraved notes, which circulated freely for a time. There is not
much doubt that the banks of that time were far better prepared to issue
their bank notes than they were to redeem them when presented for re-
demption.
The first facilities offered by this line for transportation, were ex-
tremely crude; the cars, what few there were, hauled by horses, over
wooden rails which were replaced later by the old "strap rail," and the
first locomotive appeared in 1835, and was looked upon in amazement
by the inhabitants along the line, as one of the "Seven Wonders of the
World."
The road from Monroe to Adrian was constructed in 1839 by the then
infant state of Michigan for the purpose of opening up a system of "In-
ternal Improvements ' ' designed to develop the state resources and encour-
age the settlement of the interior. The actual necessity of better eom-
mnnication throughout the middle northern and eastern portion of the
state led to a measure which for many years, kept down the credit of the
state, and crippled its resources, thereby driving away some of its own
citizens, and effectually preventing the growth of its population by in-
crease from abroad. This was the determination to borrow $5,000,000 to
be expended in various public works. It was expected that by the aid of
this sum, together with such donations as might be received from the
government of the United States, three trunk railroads could be built
across the state, two canals made, several rivers improved and made
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 367
navigable, some small railroads finished, and a ship canal opened around
the fails of the St, Mary's river. A board of commissioners of internal
improvement had already been appointed. On the 20th of March, 1837,
this board was instructed to proceed with a survey of tliree railroad
routes across the peninsula. The first was the Michigan Central from
Detroit to the mouth of the St. Joseph river in Berrien county. The
second was the Southern to run from the mouth of the River Raisin,
through Monroe, to New Buffalo. The third route was the Northern, to
run from Palmer, or Port Huron to Grand Rapids or Grand Haven.
The purchase was first to be made of the Detroit and St. Joseph Railroad,
which had been partially built through Washtenaw county; $550,000
was appropriated for these roads at once; $400,000 for the Central,
$100,000 for the Southern, (both of which included private railroads to be
purchased) and $50,000 for the Northern road ; $20,000 was appropriated
for surveys of a canal, or combined canal and railway, from Mt. Clemens
to the mouth of Kalamazoo river, a canal from Saginaw river to Maple or
Grand river ; and river surveys on the St. Joseph, Kalamazoo and Grand
rivers for "backwater" navigation; $75,000 was to be expended ou these
and other works. The Michigan Central was pushed by slow degrees as
far west as Marshall, Calhoun county, and built largely from the earn-
ings of the road.
The Michigan Southern Railroad
The Jliehigan Southern Railroad, in whose origin and future Monroe
was most largely interested, was, as already stated, one of the roads origin-
ally projected by the state as part of their system of internal improve-
ments, and prosecuted by the state until she failed in her resources and
credit; and finally, in the year 1846, sold out to a company incorporated
by the name and style of "The Michigan Southern Railroad Company,"
giving to the company a liberal and perpetual charter, and which, by its
terms is not subject to amendment, except with the consent of the com-
pany. The road as originally surveyed and laid out by the state, started
at Monroe, on La Plaisance Bay, (near the bead of Lake Erie) and pur-
suing a due west line, passed through the southern tier of counties of
Michigan from county seat to county seat, to New Buffalo on Lake Michi-
gan its then proposed western terminus.
The organization of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company was
effected by the following shareholders who were subscribers to the capital
stock in the amounts set opposite their names, viz :
Elisha C. Litchfield, New York 1,000 shares
W. A. Richmond, Buffalo 500 siiares
Charles Noble, Monroe 400 shares
T. B. Van Brunt, Monroe 250 shares
G. W. Strong, Monroe 200 shares
Dan'l S. Bacon, Monroe 200 shares
C. W. Ferris, Detroit 200 shares
Charles T. Mitchell, Hillsdale 200 shares
Henry Waldron, Hillsdale 120 shares
Thomas G. Cole, Monroe 100 shares
Morton & Wing, Monroe 100 shares
Noble & Sterling, Monroe 100 shares
Samuel J. Holley, Monroe 100 shares
James J. Godfroy, Monroe 100 shares
James Nelson, Monroe 100 shares
Fifield & Sterling, Monroe 100 shares
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368 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Ambrose Beach, Monroe 100 shares
N. B. Kidder, Monroe 100 shares
Stephen G. Clarke, Slonroe 50 shares
Charles G. Johnson, Monroo 50 shares
Harry V. Mann, Monroe 50 shares
Geo. Landon, Monroe 50 shares
William M, Smith, Monroe 50 shares
Isaac Lewis, Monroe 50 shares
William Mitchell, Monroe 20 shares
A. R. Bentley, Monroe 20 shares
David McCormick, Monroe 20 .shares
Hiram Stone, Monroe 50 shares
W. V, Stoddiford, Monroe 50 shares
John G. Miller, Monroe 50 shares
John Bureh, Monroe 50 shares
E. G. Jlorton, Monroe 50 shares
Allen A. Rabineau, Monroe 50 shares
T. E. Wing, Monroe :iO shares
Benjamin Dansard, Monroe ;t0 shares
William W. Gale, Monroe ^SO shares
William P. Gale, Monrpe 25 shares
Wedworth W. Wadsworth, Monroe 10 shares
Stillman lilanehard, Monroe 10 shares
Michael Sweeney. Monroe 10 sliai'es
Robert Levington, Monroe 10 shares
lironson & Colton, Monroe 10 shares
More than one-half being sniiseribed in Monroe, the first meeting of
stockholders was held in Monroe, on December 25, 1846, and elected the
following officers: President, James J. Godfrey, of Monroe; treasurer,
Elisha C. Litchfield, of Detroit; general superintendent. Thomas G. Cole,
of Monroe.
Officei-s and directors in 184!): George Bliss. Spi'ingfield, Massaehn-
setts, president; Blisha ,C. Litchfield, Detroit, treasurer; Charles Noble,
Monroe, secretary; Charles Butler and Edwin C. Litchfield, New York;
Htigh White, Waterford, New York: John Sfryker, Home, New York;
Joel Rathbone, All)any, New York ; Charles Seyinour, ("anandaigna. New
York ; Elisha C. Litchfield, Detroit, Michigan ; Charles Noble, Monroe,
Michigan.
At the time of the transfer of the road to the company, the state had
completed it from Monroe through Adrian to Ilillsdale, a distance of
sixty-eight miles and liad also completed a branch of ten miles northerly
from the main line at Lenawee Junction to Tecumseh, making seventy-
eight miles of road actually constnicted. On this the state had ex-
pended up to the time of its transfer something more than $1,300,000.
By the charter the power was vested in the company to extend the
road from Hillsdale, westerly to Lake Michigan, either upon the line
which had been previously contemplated and surveyed b.y the state, or
any other more southerly line which the company might see fit to adopt.
The difficulties in the way of supplying the means for its further exten-
sion seemed to be insuperable until the company succeeded in over-
coming them by a bond issue.
The road from Monroe to Adrian runs on a line fifteen miles due north
of Toledo, on the Manmee bay, at the head of Lake Erie, and the legis-
latures of Ohio and Indiana had also at an early day, incorporated
the "Buffalo and Mississippi Railroad Company." for the purpose
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 369
of eoiistnieting a road from Toledo on a line due west through the
northern counties oi Ohio and Indiana to Chicago, at the head of
Lake Michigan, thus connecting by a direct line, the heads of Lake Erie
and Lake Michigan, and constituting a principal link between the east
and west, which seemed to be indispensable, to accommodate the business
and travel passing both ways, and increasing rapidly each year. The line
of the Buffalo & Mississippi Railroad Company from Toledo to Chicago,
was parallel to the line of the Michigan Southern Railroad from lake
to lake and only ten to twenty miles distant from it. It was obvious that
both these important and expensive routes eould not be supported, even
if the means could be supplied to construct and equip thera. The friends
and advocates of each route made strenuous but ineffectual efforts to
enlist capital for their respective roads, which seemed to be idle, since it
was apparent that neither could succeed while both projects were en-
tertained.
In this state of things, the friends of both routes turned their atten-
tion to a union of the Toledo road with the Michigan Southern, at
Adrian. The surveys showed that starting from Toledo and running
northwesterly to Adrian and thence westerly on the line of the Michigan
Southern through Hillsdale to Coldwater, and thence in a southwesterly
course into Indiana and there adopting the line of the proposed Buffalo
and Mississippi railroad, through La Porte to Chicago, would make a
difference of less than ten miles in actual length of line, between this
route and the direct route from Toledo to La Porte as proposed by the
Buffalo and Mississippi Company, which difference in distance would be
more than offset by a saving in the grade for a considerable distance, of
fifteen feet per mile, by passing through a country more productive and
more densely populated and by avoiding the competition of the eastern
division of the Wabash and Erie Canal ; and to this was to be added the
further important consideration of adopting a line already established
and in operation for sixty-eight miles.
It was originally contemplated by the state of Michigan thai the
Central Road from Detroit should terminate at St. Joseph on Lake
Michigan and the Southern Road at New Buffalo. By the terms of sale of
the Central Road, the company was authorized to terminate their road
"at any point on the lake, accessible to steamboats navigating said lake."
Under this license the Michigan Central Railroad Company finally de-
cided to make New Buffalo the terminus of their road, and in order to
reach that point they run southerly from Paw Paw, to Niles, and from
thence to the lake, thus bringing the western portion of their road for
more than twenty miles within five miles of the north line of the South-
ern Road. This rendered it expedient in the extension of the latter, to
avoid competition and conflict with the Central Road, by adopting a
more southerly route, after passing Coldwater, through the northern
counties of Indiana as above indicated ; a circumstance, in the view of the
direetoi-s, not to be regretted, as it secured a more direct route towards
Chicago, and at the same time passing through a rich and populous region
of country, having no other means of outlet to market.
Erip: and Kal.vm.izoo R.uuio.vd Company [ncorforatep
As early as the year 1835, the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad Company
was incorporated by the Territory of Michigan for the purpose of con-
structing a railroad from Toledo (which was then embrace*! in the Ter-
ritory of Michigan) , to Kalamazoo, the object being to open the market at
the head of Lake Erie to the interior of the territory by the most direct
route. Under this charter, the company completed their road from
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370 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
Toledo to Adrian {33 miles) where it connected with the Michigan South-
ern road. For a considerable period this road was run in competition to
the Southern, owing partly to tlie rival and conflicting interests of the
cities of Monroe and Toledo. The directors of the Michigan Southem
then leased the Erie and Kalamazoo as the easiest way out of the com-
petitive circumstances, and proceeded to operate it, as the "Erie &,
Kalamazoo branch, ' ' thus securing a terminus at Toledo, and a connection
with the travel and commerce of the lake, the Wabash & Erie and
Miami canals, and the lines of railroad which connected with the Lake
Shore Railroad betweeii Buffalo and Toledo.
Having made this favorable arrangement, the directors now turned
their attention to extending the road west from Hillsdale to Chicago, ITS
miles. Tlie suspension of lake navigation for an average period of fivi.'
months in the year by reason of ice, and the risks and detentions to which
boats are always exposed during the season of navigation on Lake Erie,
made this connection at Toledo of vital interest to the railroad, as it was
obviously then a most important link between the east and west. The
cost of extending the road and constructing the 175 miles to be covered
was estimated to reach !H4,450,000-^or an average for the total length
of 248 miles of $17,94:1 per mile. The receipts of the Michigan Southern
for the year 3847-48 were $173,196.63, and the operating expenses for
the same time were $76,613.91. Some of the items of the estimate by the
engineer are of interest, to contrast with construction and equipment
of 1912: "Iron rails sixty pounds per yard for 175 miles, and five miles
for turn outs at $50 per ton, delivered, $900,000;" "for grading, ma-
sonry, bridging, timber, chairs, spikes, laying track, right of way and
miscellaneous, $1,600,000." The builders of the road west from llonroe
to Hillsdale were Mr. Tliomas G. Cole and Walter P. Clark, prominent
business men of Monroe, the former became the first superintendent. Mr.
Cole was also the builder of the Detroit, Monroe and Toledo Railroad
or that division from Monroe to Toledo— and ivas one of the directors of
the road, which afterwards was ac<|uired by the Lake Shore Railroad —
and became a part of the Vanderbilt Systems. Ransom Gardner built
the road from Monroe to Detroit.
The position of railroad superintendent and manager, in the early
days of railroading, it is very readily perceived to have been anything
but a bed of roses and its duties the farthest thing from a lucrative
sinecure; the correspondence and official papers of Thomas G. Cole
afford the most abundant proof of this if any proof is necessary. He was
elected superintendent of the Michigan Southern Railroad in 1849, very
soon after the purchase of the property from the state by this company.
He was an excellent executive officer, a man of large business experience
and a trained railroad man who had been interested in constructing the
line when it was projected by the state. General Humphry was also
a subcontractor under Mr. Cole in the construction of one of its branches
and who thoroughly completed the road through to Hillsdale, which for
a considerable time was the western terminus. During the half dozen
years when it was operated by the state few repairs to the line were made,
the equipment was inadequate both in quantity and quality and the road
evidently was run in a very hap-hazard manner. The rolling stock
was almost a joke, and the locomotive power nearly so. All of which
through careless or incompetent management, rapidly deteriorated, so
that when the road passed into the hands of the new corporation it was
in a deplorable condition, and the price which the state received from
the sale, though not one-half of its actual cost, was afterwards considered
a very dear one by the purchasers, upon an examination into its actual
physical condition. Tinder these circumstances the burden resting upon
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
371
tln! shoulders of the superintendent was a heavy one, not the least of
which was occasioned by the rival interests of Monroe and Toledo;
especially after the lease of the Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad. These two
eastern tennini of tlie route were exceedingly jealous of each other
and in operating both lines to the satisfaction of all parties and at
the same time conserving the interests of the railroad company, required
on the part of Mr. Cole, great tact, and foresight. To this was added
the perplexing demands for shipping facilities by the warehousemen
and millere at Hillsdale for meeting which there was no adequate means.
One of the letters from George Bliss, president of the road, upon this
subject and the superintendent's reply, are illustrations of the state of
things existing during the dark days of the road in 1849. The locomo-
tives were deficient in numbers and power ; there were not half enough
cars to serve patrous; the road bed was in bad shape and the strap rail
worn out and continually givinj; trouble. Derailment was freqiicnt,
with none of the modern wrecking equipment to cope with the diffi-
culties. There was an embarrassing lack of funds for repairs and pur-
chase of new material, employees were pressing for their pay, (often
being a month or two in arrears.) Mr. Cole resigned his position as
superintendent in 1852.
In 1855 Mr. C!ole undertook a contract with the Detroit. Monroe &
Toledo Railroad Company, under a general contract, to construct their
line from Monroe to Toledo, completing it within the stipulated time.
FoUSTil Yk.VR of MlCHICAN SlHTHERN
The voluuie of business done by the Michigan Southern Railroad in
the fourth year after it was taken over by the new company, by purchase
from the state, was not ovenvhelming, as will be seen from the annexed
statements of freight moved during the month of December, 185:J.
Interest attaches to it as showing the remarkHhle vjiriety of products
of the new state.
itiitcmcnt of freiglit moved
during the month of
December, \S\y.i.
Articles
Quantities
Apples
Bbls.
266
Ale & Beer
Bbls.
170i/a
Ashes
Tons
;j
Barley
Bushels
16701/,
Beef
Bbls,
239
Beans
Bushels
131%
Bran & Shorts
Tons
10
Buckwheat Flour
Tons
1
Butter
Tons
5
Cheese
Tons
1,'!
Coal
Tons
239
Com
Bushels
18891/.
Cornmeal
Bbls.
10
Cranberries
Bbls.
1041/2
Dried Fruit
Tons ,
29
Flour
Bbls.
5353
Furniture & Luggage
Tons
210
Grass & Clover Seed
Tons
20
Hams & Bacon
Tons
2
Highwines
Bbls.
70
Iron & Nails
Tons
171
Lath
Tons
5
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Lead in Pig
Tons
5
Lime
Tons
53
Lumber in feet
235,050
Millstones
Tons
4
Miscellaneous Merchandise
Tons
1541
Oats
Bushels
6658
Other Agricultural Products
Tons
18
Pelts, Hides & Skins
Tons
29
Pig Iron
Tons
66
Plaster
Tons
48
Pork in Bbl.
Bbls.
525
Pork in Hog
Tons
195
Potatoes
Bushels
9121/2
Salt
Bbls.
2601
Shingles
M
1141/2
Staves, Heading & Hooppoles
Tons
106
Stone, Sand & Briek
Tons
8
Wheat
Bushels
31197
Whiskey
Bbls.
141
Wool
Tons
141
Cordwood
Cords
36
Neat Cattle
No.
28
Horses
No.
78
Hogs
No.
53
Sheep
No.
890
Total in Tons
5746
Advertisement op Opening of Railroad to Detroit in 1857
Railroad Under "Way at Last (Detroit, Monroe, Adrian)
mich. southern & nob'n indian^a
eail-road.
open to detkoit.
two daily trains, each way.
OK AND AFTER "WEDNESDAY, MAR. E5th, 1857, at 7 A. M., trains
1 aa follows lietween
DETROIT AND ADRIAN.
Leave Detn
5it.
Arrives
it Detroit.
A. M.
P.M.
A.M.
P.M.
8,10
4,55
DETROIT,
1,1U
7,50
5,45
Eeorees,
12,00
9,0,'i
6,00
Wyandotte,
11,50
6,45
9,S5
6,L>5
Trenton,
11,25
6,25
9,45
6,55
Huron,
11,00
6,00
9,58
7,20
Swan Creek,
10,35
5,40
7,30 .
Stoney Creek,
10,18
lO.W
7,55
MONROE,
9,50
5,15
T0,55
8,25
Ida,
9,22
11,13
8,50
Petersburgh,
8,58
4,-33"
11,26
9,04
Deerfleld,
8,42
4,20
i),,24
"Wellsville,
8,23
11,55
9,50
ADRIAN,
8,00
3,50
P.M.
A.M.
Arr. 9,15
8,15
CHICAGO,
Le. 9,00 p 1
n 7,00 a ni
4,20
1,50
TOLEDO,
12,05 a I
a 1.25 pm
9,30
7,20
CLEVELAND.
6,00 pm 8,30 am
All traiDH connect
at ADRIAN wi
th Express trail
IS to
CHICAGO AND CLEVELAND,
And at Detroit with trains
on the Great Western, Detroit an
.i Milwaukie.
higan Central Bailroads.
SAM BROWN,
Gen'l. Sup't
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 373
Railroads did not altogether displace the plank roads in the county,
for there was room for them where their steam competitors could not
reach. The old Monroe & Saline road reaching to the latter town was
sometimes very much the "worse for wear" — especially after the spring
rains and freshets — but the directors of this corporation "braced up"
in time to get a mead of praise from the weekly paper, like this:
"Monroe & Saline Plank Road. — We are happy to say that the Monroe
and Saline Plank Road is in fine order this spring. It presents a smooth
and even surface, and no one can complain of the tolls on that road. It
should he sustained by the community. Fanners can not but feel
its value this spring."
The expected early completion of the railroad from Detroit to Mon-
roe and Toledo, engaged the attention of Monroe in 1857 to the exclusion
of almost all other local topics, and the progress of the contractors
who were actively engaged in its construction was considered far too
slow, considering the weighty matters that were at stake in Monroe.
Every line printed in the newspapers touching upon this enterprise
was read with the utmost avidity. Items like the following, clipped from
the Monroe weekly newspapers of the time, were tiie most thrilling of
"The new railroad from Detroit to Toledo is a matter of great im-
portance to the citizens of Monroe, and knowing that they take mvich
interest in it, we have endeavored to keep them informed in regard to
its progress and prospects. The work is now rapidly approaching com-
pletion. The grading on the northern division is all done and the
present week will see the whole of it completed, includii^ the southern
division. All the bridging of the north end will be finislied by the end
of the present month, and of the Toledo end by January 1st. The track-
laying is also in a state of forwardness. Ten miles of track north of
Monroe and six south of Detroit are already laid down, — and the com-
pany have gangs of men at each end, engaged in raising and surfacing
the track in a suitable manner, — so that our road when finished will be
a good one. Mr. Gardner, the energetic contractor, proposes to com-
plete the connection between this city and Detroit hy the first or the
middle of December. We congratulate the company and their officers
and contractors on the unusually favorable season which they have had
for the prosecution of this important work; and hope soon to realize
the long-expected pleasure of the excursion trip to Detroit over the new
road. ' '
Everything is said to be great or small, good or bad, only by com-
parison. In this view of a national proposition we are attracted and
edified by the comparison of the present facilities for transportation with
those of fifty or sixty years ago ; the evolution from merely nothing to
the advanced conditions of the present. Does it not seem incredible that
one of our greatest railroad lines should have advertised in 1843 as an
attraction to the traveling public, that it would cover the distance
between Detroit and Chicago in thirty-nine hours? The proof that this
was a fact is given in an advertisement of the Central Road which
appears beiow :
1843.1 DETROIT AND CHICAGO. [1843.
THROUGH IN 39 HOURS,
By the Central Sailroad Mail Line.
The clieapest, safest and most expeditious route to the West, being 48 boiirs
quieker than the Lake route.
The Railroad Cars leave Detroit daily (Sundays excepted), at 8 o'clock A, M.,
arrive at Jackson, 80 miles, same day at 2 P. M. leave Jaekson at 3 P. M. in Coaches,
arrive at St. Joseph at 5 P, M. next day; leave St. Joseph, on the arrival of the
Stages, in Steamboats, 69 miles to Chicago, and arrive at one A. M.
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374 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
This route was establisliea at a greit e\pe se in 1&4 ai I ts s p b r d ts
the proprietors in extending tie tJpTtie& tor 1S43 A new btean boat ot 0 to s
burtlien, with a powerful Low Pressure Eng i e 11 take the pla e of tl e Stea i boll
Huron in July.
Extras always in readiness
Office iu Chica^ro at the Ge pr 1 -^t ge fh e In Detroit at the Ba 1 i I T ket
Oflitp.
T. W. Wells, Apt. Com. C. R.
Z. TlLLOTSON & Co., S. P.
E. B. & 8. Ward, S. B. P.
.Tatksoii, May, 1H4;!. niay^Bdtf
The present schedule time by the same route is not more than seven
hours ! Monroe was a long time in realizing the actual fact of even this
snail's pace The western tide of travel in 1856 between Monroe and
the great developing west was by the Michigan Southern Railroad, the
first stage of whieli extended from Monroe to Adrian. The necessity
for any special time for a train on this road to leave or arrive at either
terminal seems to have been somewhat of a vague conception as shown
bj the following item from one of the local newspapers of 1856 :
"Change ot Cars. — The passenger train runs but once each way,
eacli day, between this place and Adrian. It leaves Monroe about
eight o'clock A. M., and arrives from the west about six P. M."
Nevertheless the hunger for railroads increased and every item of
encouragement to the people that they were soon to realize the bliss of
going to Detroit and Toledo by rail, were awaited with the utmost im-
patience, hence the necessity for the newspapers to present every crumb
of comfort that came to the editors .table, such as this :
"Our road to Detroit has become a verity — a tangible, rideable
verity. For some days past cars have passed the whole length safely,
and with tolerable speed. We shall soon have two or three trains each
way, per day, giving the long hoped for means to get out to see the
world, and in fact to bring the world to see us. This is an important
era in the history of Monroe. There is nothing to hinder her now from
taking a stand with the towns along our lake shores. The season has
been an exceedingly good one for pushing the work forward, and the
energy and enterprise of the contractors were not loth to take advan-
tage of the same. We shall have a road to Toledo by the opening of
navigation. That branch of the road is all graded, several of the bridges
built, and mostly ready to lay down the track as soon as the iron
Such was the activity of railroad building and promoting in the
early days that it might well be designated as the "railroad epoch."
The ambitions of wealthy and influential men of the eastern states for
investments in substantial and needed improvements to develop a rich
and rapidly growing state such as Michigan was confidently expected to
become and which must logically require large sums of money to carry
on these extensive public worts, and for men of sagacity and known
ability to conduct them drew public attention to Monroe and Toledo on
Lake Erie as the points from which the railroads must radiate, to take
care of the lake commerce to and from the rapidly filling up west. It is
not strange that in these circumstances there should appear another class
of men with more activity and ingenuity in promoting visionary schemes
than financial ability to carry them out. These were mainly from New
York, Boston and Buffalo, who had a numerous following of "local tal-
ent" on the scenes of their lively activities. Railroads, plank roads, har-
bors, ship-building and locating of new towns — to become "great een-
ters of commercial operations" were glibly talked about, and many en-
terprises were incorporated with large capital — on paper.
Every now and then there emerges from the misty past a legal docu-
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ITfSTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 375
nwAit which oiiiliotJies thy schemes of more than one John Law which,
like his glittering "bublilc" on a smaller scale, slione with all their bril-
liant rainbow bues for a few months, and then rudely burst, to tbe con-
sternation of too confident and confiding investors. There were the
"Manhattan and Havre Eailroad Company," tbe "Hiver Raisin and
Grand River Railroad Company," the "Maumee Branch Railroad Com-
pany," the "River Raisin and Lake Erie Railroad Company," besides
canal companies, improvement companies, abundant and bewildering.
Maumee Branch Railroad Company
The Maumee Uranch Railroad Company was incorporated by tlie terri-
tory of Michigan in a bill dated August 22, 1835, from whose charter
extracts are made. This road was apparently intended by its promoters
to absorb and otherwise "do up" the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad for
tJieir prospective benefit.
"An act to incorporate the Maumee Branch Railroail Company, passeil the
IrfjjJKlative Council of the Territory of Michigan, August 22, 1835.
"Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the legislative council of the territory of
Michigan, That David White, Salmon Kinney, Jacob A. Barker, John T.
Hudson, Stephen G. Austin, John W. Clark and Charles Townsend, be,
nnd they are appointed commissioners, under the direction of a major-
ity of whom, subscriptions may be received to tbe capital stock of the
Maumee Branch Railroad Company, hereby incorporated, and they may
cause books to be opened, at such times and places as they shall direct,
for the purpose of receiving subscriptions to tbe capital stock of said
company, first giving reasonable notiee of tlie times and places of taking
said subscriptions.
"Sec. 2. That the capital stock of tlie said Maumee Branch Railroad
Company shall be one hundred tliousand dollars, in shares of fifty dol-
lars each : and that as soon as one thousand shares of said stock shall he
subscribed, the subscribers of said stock, with such other persons as shall
associate with them for that purpose, their successors, and assigns, shall
be, and they are hereby created a l)odj' corporate and politic, by the name
of the 'Maumee Branch Railroad Company,' witli perpetual succession,
and by that name shall be capable in law of purchasing, holding, selling,
leasing, and conveying estate, either real, personal, or mixed, so far as the
same may be necessar.y for the purposes hereinafter mentioned, and no
further; and in tlieir corporate name, may sue and be sued, may have
a common seal, wbicb they may alter and renew at pleasure, and shall
have, enjoy, and may exercise all the powei-s, rights, and privileges, which
appertain to corporate liodies, for the purposes mentioned in this act.
"Sec. 3. Said corporation hereby created, shall have power to con-
struct a single or double railroad, from, at or near the mouth of the Mau-
mee river, in the count,v of Monroe, and from thence on an eligible route
until the same shall intersect the Erie and Kalamazoo railroad; and to
connect with and use the Erie and Kalamazoo railroad, or any part of it
when completed, according to the provisions of the nineteenth section
of the act incorporating said Brie and Kalamazoo railroad ; and with
power to transport, take, and carry property and persons upon the Erie
and Kalamazoo railroad, or upon any part of it when completed, and
upon the railroad herein authorized to be constructed by the power and
force of steam, of animals, or of any iriecbanieal or other power, or any
combination of them.
"An Act, to amenii an act to incorporate the Maumee Branch IJailroad
"Sec. 1. Be it enacted hy the Icffislativr council of the territory of
Michigan, That the Maumee Braneli Railroad Company, are hereby au-
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376 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
tliorized to extend said railroad through the southern tier ot counties
ill Michigan territory to the mouth of Gallain River on Lake 5Iichigan,
and for that purpose and no other, said company are hereby authorized
to increase their stock to any amount not exceeding fifteen hundred thou-
sand dollars.
' ' Sec. 2. So much of said road as lies between the mouth of the Jlau-
mee River, and the point where said road shall intersect the Erie and
Kalamazoo railroad, shall constitute the first section of said road; so
much of said road as lies between said intersection and the eastern boun-
dary of St. Joseph county, shall constitute the second section of said road,
and the residue of said road shall constitute the third section thereof.
"Sec. 3. If the second section he not commenced within five years and
completed within fifteen years from the passage of this act, and if the
third section shall not be commenced within fifteen years and completed
within twenty-five years from the passage of this act, then in either case,
this act shall be null and void, so far as it relates to such unfinished part
or parts, and no farther.
"Approved August 25, 1835.
"Stevens T. Mason,
"Governor."
' ' All Act to authorize the Maumee Branch Bail Rond Company to pass over
Tlie Havre Branch Kail Koad, in connection with the Erie and Kalamazoo Rail Koad."
"Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the State of Michigan, That for the purpose of enabling the Mau-
mee Branch Rail Road Company more conveniently to connect with the
Erie and Kalamazoo Rail Roail, said company is hereby authorized to con-
nect with the Havre Branch Rail Road in the village of Havre, and use
said Havre Branch Rail Road under such regulations, and for such tolls,
as shall be established by the legislature.
"Charles C. Whipple, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
"E. MuNDY, President of the Senate.
"Approved June 21, 1837.
"Stevens T, Mason, Governor."
River Raisin and Grand River Railroad
Another project of splendid magnitude, originating in the fertile
minds of the "Get-Rich-Quicks" in Monroe, ^as the River Raisin and
Grand River Railroad, "intended" to traverse the state from Lake Erie
to Lake Michigan. The formal announcement of this determination ap-
peared in the Monroe papers and is given below: "Notice is hereby
given, that an application will be made to the next Legislative Council of
the Territory of Michigan, or the Legislature of the State of Michigan, as
the case may be, for an act to incorporate a Company to construct a
"Rail Road" from or near the mouth of the Maumee Bay, westerly across
the peninsula to Lake Michigan.
"January 15, 1836."
The legislature of 1835 was "an easy mark," judging by the num-
ber of schemes that were given powers to incorporate. Following is the
official action taken on the proposed railroad:
"An Act to incorporate the River Raisin anil (Sranil Kiver Rail Road Compauv
and for other purpoaes.
"Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the legislative council of the territory of
Michigan, That S. Blanchard, S. Fargo, J. J Godfrey, 0. Wilder, Ed-
ward D. Ellis, Edwin Smith, Reynolds Gillet, Isaac E. Crary and Geo.
Ketchum, be, and they are hereby appointed commissioners under the
direction of a majority of whom, subscriptions may be received to the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 377
capital stock of the River Raisin and Grand River Rail Road Company
hereby incorporated, and tliey may cause books to be opened, at such
times and places as they shall direct for the purpose of receiving sub-
scriptions to the capital stock of said company, Jirst giving reasonable
notice of the times and places of taking such subscriptions.
"Sec. 2. The capital stock of said River Raisin and Grand River
Rail Road Company shall be one and a half million of dollars, in shares
of fifty dollars each : and that as soon as one thousand shares of
said stock shall be subscribed, the subscribers of said stock, with such
other persons as shall associate with them for that purpose, tlieir suc-
cessors and assigns shall be, and they are hereby created a body cor-
porate and politic, by the name and style of the 'River Raisin and
Grand River Rail Road Company,' with perpetual succession, and by
that name shall be capable in law of purchasing, selling, leasing and con-
veying estate, either real, personal or mixed, as far as the same may
be necessary for the purposes hereinafter mentioned, and no further:
and in their corporate name may sue and be sued, may have a common
seal which they may alter aud renew at pleasure, and shall have, enjoy,
and may exercise all the powers, rights and privileges which appertain
to corporate bodies, for the purpose mentioned in this act.
"Sec. 3. Said corporation hereby created shall have power to con-
struct a single or double Rail Road, commencing at the head of ship navi-
gation on the River Raisin; and said corporation are hereby required
to make or construct a single or double track in each bank of said river
at the starting point, and to unite the same at any point above the limits
of the village of Monroe, to the rapids of Grand River, or to such point
below on said river as said corporation shall see fit, passing through the
villages of Teeumseb, Clinton and Marshall, on or near the route re-
cently surveyed from Monroe to Alarshall by Lieut. J. M. Berrien, with
power to transport, take and carry property or persons upon the same,
by the power and force of st«am, of animals, or of any mechanical or
other power, or of any combination of them."
Manhattan and Havre RAn.KOAD
The proposed Manhattan and Havre railroad does not appear to
have materialized into an incorporated company, but a report by R. 31.
Shoemaker, the engineer, made in 1837 upon the estimated cost of
construction, is appended, in part, as a matter of interest to compare
with present cost of railroad construction. The route of this line is
not clearly defined, but Manhattan was the "city" on Maumee Bay now
known as Toledo, and Havre was midway between that point and Mon-
roe, a place now but a memory. I have found but one person in Monroe
who had oceular proof that such a place ever existed, and in this in-
stance the impression was made upon the mind of this young lady by
the short stop made there by the mail coach on this route from Monroe
to Manhattan. Sic transit gloria mundi,
"To the President and Directors of the Manhattan and Havre Rail
Roads. (Havre, 1837.) — Gentlemen: In accordance with an invitation
received from Jacob A. Barker, Esqr., bearing date of the 20th ulto. I
have caused such surveys and examinations to be made as enables me to
submit for your consideration an estimate of the probable cost of con-
structing a single-track railroad, from the city of Manhattan to the
town of Havre, together with a map and profile of the line and plans
for superstructure and bridges.
"The line commences at the margin of Maumee river, foot of New
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378 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
York avenue, in the city of Manhattan, extending westerly, with said
avenue, 54 chains; thence north, 3° 30' east, 150 chains; thence north
13° 20' east, 80 chains to an intersection with tlie town plat of Havre,
where the survey terminates.
La l'LAi^<ANCii Bay Hakbur Comi'any
La Plaisance Bay Harbor Company seems to have been a separate
organization from the River Raisin and Lake Erie Railroad Company
and the plans of this company appear to have been to construct a rail-
road, as shown in tlie notice which was printed at the time :
"RAIL EOAD TO LAKK ERIE
"Notice is hereby given, that an application nill be made to tlie Legislature
of Michigan, at thciv next session, for the passage of an act granting certain addi-
tional privileges to the Ln Plaisance Bay Harbor Company, and among others
to constrnct a Bail Road from La Plaisance Bay to some point in tlie village of
Monroe. By order of the Pres't & Directors,
"23d January, 1836. N. HUBBLE, Soc'y pro tem."
The t(vo roads mentioned may have been merged, as no records sur-
vive, concerning the building or operating two roads ; anti inasmuch as
the River Raisin Railroad Company were given banking privileges and
actually issued their own bills it is probable that the Harbor Company
and the railroad company were distinct corporations. "The River Rai-
sin Steamboat Company" was a factor in the transportation (luestions
of the day is shown in the following notice of stockholders' meeting:
"A meeting of the stockholders of the River Raisin Steamboat Company will
be hell! at the office of .1. C. Thurber on Monday the 2!jth inst. at 10 o'clock in
the morning. It is particvilaily reqiicsfeil that there may be a fnll attendance oS
all the stoekbolders.
"Jan, 23, ]836. D. A. .N'OBLh;, See 'y p. tem."
Both the genllemen named were prominent attorneys, the latter after-
wards representative in Congress. The northern division of the Detroit,
Monroe and Toledo Railroad from Monroe to Detroit was completed
somewhat earlier than the southern or Toledo division, and the gap of
twenty-five miles was filled by a stage route — as announced by a local
paper: "Our enterprising townsman, S. B. Wakefield, ever awake to
the wants of the eoramunity, has commenced running a semi-daily line
of coaches between this city and Tolado, to accommodate the prospective
increase of travel, consequent upon the completion of the northern divis-
ion of theD. M. & T. R. R."
After the completion of this division all stage routes became obso-
lete, and the drivers of the various coaches' occupation was no more, yet
they were not entirely hors de combat, for numerous omnibus lines
sprung into existence to convey travelers to railroad stations and boat
landings, as witness this announcement in 1855: "D. Ebersol will
run an omnibus between Monroe and the lake, in connection with the
Detroit boats, for the remainder of the season ; also to the cars.— Passen-
gers wishing: to go to the lake or cars will leave their names at the
Macomb Street House."
La Plaisance Bay
As stated, the "River Raisin and Lake Eric Railroad" was another
of the projected transportation schemes of those days of inflation and of
pipe dreams, which fell very far short of the realizations of its promot-
ers' visions of ultimate greatness, two and one-half miles, however were
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 379
built and operated. The projected route of this line lay aloiig the high-
way from La Plaisance Bay on Lake Erie, to Monroe, and northwestward,
thence to Dundee, meandering along to Blissfield, Tecumseh and finally
disappearing "up a tree." Interest attaches to this enterprise for Mon-
roe, at that time as it was the means of communication between the onlj'
port on the wi^t end of Lake Brie, and the city, by which passenger and
freight traffic could lie carried on, and connection made with the lines of
steamboats and sail vessels on the lake, whose eastern terminus was
Buffalo.
There was no canal in those days; no harbor, as at the present govern-
ment piers; these were to come later; but La Plaisance Bay was a bus-
tling spot. Great warehouses and wharves wei'e built, with anchorage
for the little fleets that gave the place a most interesting air of commerce.
Captain Geo. W. Strong built and operated a small steamer called the
"Water Witch" from the dock, a mile below the city of the La Plaisance
harbor, running through the river channel, that wound in and out
through the marsh, and established a. not insignificant traffic for some
months. The railroad line passed along the east side of Scott street, and
reached the business part of Monroe at the corner of First and Scott
streets, and had its depot at the present site of Kurd's elevator.
The cars which were drawn over the wooden rails by horses were
necessarily small affairs, in appearance something after the ancient style
of those seen on our earliest city street car lines, except that the driver
was perched upon a seat at the top and front of the car, as in the old-
fashioned omnibuses, still seen occasionally in hack woods towns to
which they have been relegated.
The largest of the La Plaisance warehouses remained there long after
its usefulness had ended, a gloomy reminder of the former activities of
the place; and it was sul»sequently purchased by Captain Strong, and
reinoved in the winter on the Jce to his property at the city docks, where
it was converted into two large warehouses, and became the center of an
important cluster of other warehouses devoted to the business of trans-
portation on the lakes. The firms engaged in that business were : Carlos
Colton & Co., Fifield & Stirling. Cole & Disbrow, Walhridge & Co., Wal-
bridge & Darrah, John Sinclair, and others. It was the busiest spot in
the state when in its full tide of prosperity; it was not an uncommon
thing for seventy-five to one hundred steam boats and sailing vessels to
tie up at the docks along the river to be loaded for eastern ports, while
a cavalcade of farmers' wagons numbering two to three hundred would
stretch along the "river road" nearly to the village, all loaded with
grain for shipment. Some of these would come from points as distant
as Sturgis and White Pigeon in St. Joseph county.
The Ship C.vnai,
The ship canal, the successful completion of which meant so much to
Monroe in the transportation question was in excellent hands, and its
financial as well as its physical well being had watchful care, and active
efforts is shown by the following clipping from the Monroe Advocate of
1845: "The prospect of an early completion of this important work,
has now become very flattering. David A. Noble, Es<|. recorder of the
city, who was commissioned by the common council to negotiate the
loan of $25,000, autliorizcd by a vote of the city, returned from Albany
and New York some days since, where he had succeeded in negotiating
the whole of the loan upon terms highly advantageous to the city. The
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380
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
situation of the stock market was such aS to render the negotiation a some-
what difficult one, and the zeal and faithfulness with which Mr. Kohle
fulfilled his- responsihle and delicate trust, merits the warmest thanks of
the friends of this important enterprise.
"The terms of the negotiation were laid before the eouncil and ap
proved by that body, upon which the commissioners ot the canal fund
were called together, who organized by choosing Geishom T Bulkle\
president, Hoses B. Savage, secretary, John Burch acting commissioner
and N. R. Haskell, treasurer of the board. Mr. Burch has entered upon
his duties, and under his energetic superintendence the work mil soon
be in rapid progress. The cash can be drawn foi ns fast as the fountil
View op Government Canai, ok Today
shall deem necessary, even to the whole amount of the luan. We therefore
see nothing now to obstruct the successful prosecution of the enterprise."'
The Thansi'ORTation Busin]£ss for 1!)12
Perhaps no other array of figures present a more aecurate and con-
vincing proof of the commercial progress and industrial growth of a
community than those which may he obtained from the records of the
railroads, the transportation lines which are the arteries through which
flows the life blood of business. No data is more interesting or instruc-
tive than those which illustrate the methods which, wisely applied, bring
prosperity and wealth to a community.
A comparison of the tranaporation importance and the transactions
today with those of fifty years ago or even twenty-five years ago, presents
an amazing contrast. The entire business of the Michigan Southern
Railroad in 1856, in tonnage carried was less than ten percent of the
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 381
actual figures of the Monroe station in Monroe, for one niontli iu IDll !
This appears to be an astounding statement— yet fully verified. Through
the courtesy of the agents of the railroads entering Monroe we have ob-
tained tabulated statements of the freight traifie, in this city during the
year 1911, which offers in a concise form, information that will surprise
a great many readers not previously familiar with the facts. The
amount of freight, in pounds, shipped by the Lake Shore and Michigan
Southern Railroad in 1911, from Monroe was 183,040,510; while there
was received in the same time, 354,481,047 pounds. Of this incoming
freight the largest item was coal, amounting 48,332,700 pounds ; the next
was in material used in the large paper mills, amounting 39,332,700
pounds; this does not include 9,240,425 pounds of pulp received for the
.same purpose from Canada, An analysis of the shipments by this road
alone from Monroe during the period named, shows that the following
concerns contributed each their full share : Boehme & Raueh Company,
34,744,751 pounds; Monroe Binder Board Company, 21,768,039 pounds;
Amendt Milling Company, 21,024,005 pounds; R. R. Paper Company,
14,922,428 pounds ; Monroe Canning Company, 732,500 pounds ; Wilder-
Strong Implement Company, 1,142,670 pounds; Monroe Furnace Com-
pany, 11,360,280 pounds. These are shipments by the Lake Shore &
M. S. Railroad only.
The Michigan Central Railroad's statement, by months, follows:
Shipments Receh'ts
Jan 683,000 Jan ;i.289,000
Keh 1,275,000 Feb 2,982.000
Mar 2,613,000 Mar 1,840,000
Apr 10,400,000 Apr, , ^,680,000
May 12,325,000 May 2,555,000
June 18,500,000 June 2,342,000
July 17,500,000 July 1,757,000
Aug 15,625,000 Aug 3,640,000
Sept 16,815,000 Sept 2,360,000
Oct 19,990,000 Oct 3,614,000
Nov 11,890,000 Nov 3.890,000
Dec 6,660,000 Dec 4,280,00(1
134,276,000 ibs. 36,149,000 lbs.
The Detroit and Toledo, Sliore Line, a branch of the Grand Trunk
Railway System, have fallen below the other lines somewhat, and furnish
us only approximate figures for the business of 1911, as follows:
Freight shipments from Monroe, 66,175,000; freight receipts at Monroe,
26,140,000,
The Pere Marijuette Railroad's fig\ires arc as follows: Shipments
20,275,000; receipts, 18,170,000.
There are seventy-eight freight and passenger trains arriving and
departing every twenty-four hours on the steam lines from the stations in
Monroe, not including extras and "specials."
The Detroit United Railway interurban lines contribute a liberal
amount of business to the total of transportation business of Monroe,
running fifty ears daily between Monroe and Detroit and Monroe and
Toledo, in addition to which are six package, freight and express cars.
The latter carried during May, 1912, which is a fair monthly average
for the year: Receipts, 571,804 lbs. shipments, 667,956 pounds — making
a total for the year approximately 8,013,072 lbs. outgoing freight, and
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382 ' HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
6,861,648 lbs. incoming. This road has been in operation about twelve
years, its first experimental run was on Christmas day, 1902, when the
then general manager, A. P. Edwards, took a small party of friends
northward.
The electric line has cut deeply into the passenger business of the
steam roads, although all of them have met the reduced rates in force
on the former.
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ClIAT'TER XXX
TXDUSTRIES AND COM.MERCK
St.vrt iif j\]onr((e Nurseries — French Pears and Ai'I'les — Trees
Planted Soon After War op 1812 — First Pkrmanent Nursery
Business — The Mutual and HIichigan Nurseries — A Monroe
Woman Founds Canning Industry — The Fishing Industry — Mon-
roe County Fisheries — Commercial Fishing — Fishing not All
Profit — Winter Sports on the Ice — Exportation of Cattle and
Hogs — Flour Mills — The Amendt Milling Company — Waterloo
Roller Mills — Boehme & Rauch Company — Weis Manufacturing
Company — Monbof, Binder Board Company^ — River Raisin Paper
Company — Elkhart Manufacturing Company— Monroe Glass
Company — Monroe Woolen Mill — Monroe Foundry and Furnace
Company.
Monroe has for half a century been noted for the vast extent, and
absolute superiority of its nurseries. Its fanie has not only penetrated
every portion of our own country, but has spread into Eui'ope, where-
ever horticulture at its best possesses interest. The poet sings the praise
of him who eaiisea "two blades of grass to grow wliere but one grew
before" — whicli is well; but how about him who causes a liundred thou-
sand trees to spread their grateful shade and contribute their life-giving
luscious fruits for the delectation of the human race ? This is the func-
tion and the beneficence of the wise nursery man.
Start of Monroe Nurseries
It had like many another great industry, its start in sinal! begin-
nings. The thousand acres and more devoted to the propagation of
fruit and ornamental trees in Monroe, in this sheltered environment
of Lake Erie, and the climate Immune to the violent disturbances and
changes which is fatal to the perfect development of out-of-doors indus-
tries elsewhere, are the evolution of seventy years, intelligent and inas-
terful effort to supplement nature's generous opportunities in the valley
of the Riviere aux Raisins. This evolution has been magical in its results.
French Pears and Apples
Are the pear and apple trees propagated from the seedlings brought
to Monroe from sunny France by the pioneers, one hundred and twenty-
eight years ago, and from the banks of the St. Lawrence still bearing
the same pleasant flavored fruit that they did in their youth? A few
of the rugged survivors of those early planted orchards are still doing
duty on the same premises! With not a human being still living, who
saw them and ate of their fruit in their youth they are still alive and
bearing. The claim of the actual superiority of that fruit over some
of the modern varieties is no doubt largely based on sentiment.
383
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384 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
The old pear treos of Monroe! They have been the theme oE the
historian, the poet, the romancer ; they still, each year, put forth their
welcome blossoms, and each succeeding harvest time, the fruits of their
old age. From an article written for the Monroe Democrat, based on
notes prepared some years ago, for a paper contributed to the Michi-
gan Agricultural College materia! is gathered for some interesting facts
in connection with this subject. It covers the period from 1784 to 1840,
and from that time to the present.
The Francis Navarre farm, as well as the La Tour, Labadie, Roberts,
LaSalle Caldwell, Mommonie and others along the River Raisin, boasted
orchards of these fine trees of great size and height, rivalling the very
forest giants. A limited number of these are still standing. The writer
recently saw a row of some five or six. standing where they were first
planted, in the city of Monroe. True, they bore the marhs of their one
hundred and twenty-five years of battling with storm and tempest', and
appeared to have shrunken, like humans, and grown gray and shattered
under the hand of time and to have parted with the luxuriant growth of
foliage and the vigor of their long past youth, but were laden with
the blossoms and the young fruit. One of this little group had lately
Iwen cut down to make way for the opening of a new street in the devel-
opment of the manufacturing district, yielding to the inexorable de-
mands of material progress, when it was found, upon examination that
the concentric rings of the trunk numbered one hundred and twenty-
eight indicating the years of its life, and that it was among the first
that had been planted in this part of the country by the original French
settlers on the south bank of the River Raisin. Others, in the premises
of the Dr. Sawyer residence, in the grounds of the late Dr. Harry
Conant, in the Cole homestead, and others, while old residents pointed
out the site of orchards of these highly esteemed, venerable trees.
Among the farms westward along the river they were many, also,
pear and apple trees. Within a very few days Mr. George Wakefield
has placed in the hands of the author several of small, spicy flavored
apples from trees planted by, the Indians and early French a century
ago and which were upon the farm which he now owns in Raisinville.
So far as the memory of any man now living can vouch, there has never
been a season when these ancient trees have not borne fruit.
Trees Planted Soon After War of ]812
Among the trees planted soon after the war of 1812, upon the return
of the refugees from Canada and the states of Ohio and Kentticky
were those standing in the yards of T. E. Wing (the old Colonel Ander-
son place) ; of Judge Warner Wing; in the old Macomb Street House
yard and elsewhere, many of the trunks of which measured eight feet
and upwards in circumference, four feet from the ground.
Notable examples of this remarkable family of trees stood upon the
farm of Stephen Downing, which were planted by him in 1813 or 1814.
A singular circumstance is related in connection with these trees. They
were at one time apparently dying from some undiscovered cause. Mr,
Downing's people were during the summer in that year, in the habit
of making ice cream underneath the shade of these trees and the salt
and ice used in the process was thrown npon the ground about the
roots of them. This continued for some weeks, with the effect of arrest-
ing the cause of the decay and causing the trees to take on a new lease
of life, and ultimate complete restoration to health. Such remarkable
longevity and such marvelous and continuous yields of fine and delicious
fruit seem to afford a warrant for the magnificent nurseries that flourish
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HISTORY OF MOXROE COUNTY
385
magical
earliest
ill Jloiiroe and to confirm tlie belief that there is something i
in the soil, the atmosphere and the climate which lias from the
days made the location an ideal one for the nurserymen.
As stated, the Monroe nurseries have, for a long time been widely
known to every section of the United States, for their extent, not only.
bnt for ever>' eharaeteristie that enriches the factors in a business the
success of which perhaps, more than most others is based upon tlie
confidence reposed in it by the public which it serves.
The virtues of honesty, perseverance, technical knowledge and faith-
fulness are paramount and it is these which liave contributed to the
nuirvelous growth and the present importance of this business in Mon-
roe, and rielily rewarded the devotion to these principles.
First I'ekmanent Nursery Business
Since 1846, in which year Israel E. Ilgenfritz camo to Monroe and in
a modest way began to raise trees for market, when the first permanent
business was set upon its feet, the growtli of this industry has grown
to its enormous present proportions, A wonderful development — now
among the most stable and important industries in the United States
and ]>roudly claitned by Jlonroe as its leading one. Israel E. Ilgenfritz
was the actual founder of it. and his first activity was with a small
nursery upon what has beeji known as the Church Farm, on the north
side of the River Raisin, extending hack from the river, along the road
known as Anderson street. An incident connected with this first real
movement for a nnrsery on a large scale, is mentioned hy Very Rev.
Father F. A, O'lMen, formerly of ilonroe. now Dean of Kafniiiiuoo
parish, in a paper read before tlie State Ilistoi'ieal Society, in 1904, and
connecting it with Rev. Father Edwartl .Tons tlien ]>riest of St. Mjiry'.s
church, "A notable benefit arising from JLis desire to do good and Jiis
willingness to aid meritorious eft'ort in tlie counminity whs the heginuing
of tbo great nursery business of the Ugeufrit/, Company in Monroe.
Mr. Ugenfritz, having not nnich else but his I'ucrgy, his executive ability
and established eharai-tcr, with confidence in himself, laid his plans
before Father Joos who at once made a lease of a large tract of the
Church Farm at a nominal sum and extended a liberal credit until he
could pay the rental from the sale of trees, which lie then planted.''
An exercise of .indgment and foresiglit which ho never regretted. That
there was a tentative effort made before that of .Mr. llgenfritz is shown
in the ancient advertisement below, found in the Monroe A<h-orntc of
1844. Tliis appears to be the first firm to issue a catalogue of tlieir
Imsiness ond this a very modest pamphlet.
".MOXROE NL'KSERV and (iAKUE.N
Apples
Phiins
Cherries
Peaphcs
Aprients
Oliitiees
Grapes
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Hasp berries 3 do
i r a desLnption ot eiih vinety and pruea en I atdlogi foi ]^14 n!i h
will be fi rnished to order free bj mail or otherwise
Birlj in the Fall is imiloubte lly (he best time for transplanting treea an 1
those iiho wish trees this fall "oiild do well to order them at an early day and they
can be aenommodated nitli trees of ttie largest size All orders \mU b« attenlel
to without delay anl if re one! before the proper time tor transplanting tliy
will be registered in their proper order and filled actor Imgly Tlieir pr es are
ench ai will make it an obie t for all to eiU anl examine their stotk ot trpes before
purehasing elsewhere
Most km Is ot farming jroime ani nool mil be i leiied m pigment if
deli\crel at the time of recei ing tie trees
Monioc, August, ]f<44. lIviT lll i. Rewild'^
ly36
Much adilitional information of interest is furnished in the persona] sketches
of the Ilgenfritz family and C. E, Greening.
The Mutuai, and Michigan Nurseries
When Mr. Charles A. Ilgenfritz withdrew from the firm of I. E.
Ilgenfritz 's Sons Company, he purchased a large farm lying juat outside
the city limits of Monroe and established the Mutual Nurseries and
threw into the business the energy and experience gained in the years of
training under his father's guidance and is gradually developing an
industry which bids fair to fully justify the prediction that it will
become a factor in the nnrsery business in this already famous section
of the state.
It is the outgrowth of the smaller enterprises in this line, having as
its base, the early nurseries of E. H. Reynolds, Reynolds & Lewis and
others. D. D. Winkworth is the proprietor of the Michigan Nurseries,
conducting the business of grower and jobber of fruit trees; nurseries
located on Elm e
A Monroe Woman Founds Canning Industry
The business of preserving fruit in its fresh and natural form as
nearly as possible for use long after it has, in its proper season, been
marketable, has grown into a business of such magnitude as to stand
abreast with the most important and lucrative industries. It will not
be a statement new to some living citizens of Monroe that this industry
of hermetically sealing fruits in cans originated right here in their own
city. It is not strange that these canning factories are now found in
every large fruit growing district in the United States and it should
be absolute ly logical and consistent that the largest in the world should
be in operation where the process originated. To Mrs. E. F. Ilaskell
belongs the fame of canning, hermetically sealing, the iirst canned fruit
ever placed on a merchant's shelves, thirty years in advance of her times.
Mrs. Haskell was an extraordinary woman. She was never idle. It
is a pity that she is not alive and a part of the twentieth century activ-
ities of today! Among her recreations was the writing and publishing
of a cook book, an octavo volume of nearly 500 pages, and it is likely
that half the cook books of the last fifty years were built upon the
foundation furnished by Mrs. Haskell and all the knowledge that some
of the girls of the period absorbed was from Mrs. Haskell's cook book.
This was the title : ' ' Housekeeper 's Encyclopedia of Cooking and Domes-
tic Economy." — Somewhat heavy, perhaps, and youngi housekeepers
were not generally perfectly crazy about encyclopedias of any kind.
Mrs, Haskell was a resident of Monroe for many years previous to
1870. She was the wife of Norman R. Haskell, once cashier of the bank
of River Raisin, both well known in the early days in Monroe. The
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 387
large city fraet located on Fourth street, near Scott, and comprising
six city blocks was purchased by Mrs. Haskell and gardening on an ex-
tensive scale, an orchard, fine sorts of lai^e fruits, apples, peaches, pears,
plums were planted, together with all the smaller fruits and choice
vegetables were raised and the place became one of the most attractive
spots inside the limits of the city, and during the summer evenings it
wtLS quite a resort for evening refreshments, temptingly served. Espec-
ially to the young people of the town the fame of "Mrs. HasbeU's ice
cream" and other delicacies were like tlie dainties themselves, in every-
body's mouths.
When the hundreds of trees reached tlie stage of yielding crops too
large for immediate sale Mrs. Haskell began to consider plans to make
use of the surplus. It would never do to allow such luscious fruits as
grew upon her orchards to become simply a waste. Mrs. Haskell was
a woman of active mind and more active body and it did not take very
long for her to evolve the idea of canning this fruit for use during the
winter when no fresh fruits except apples were to be obtained in the
stores or markets. She acted upon the suggestion of her active and
inventive brain. The local tinners were given work making tin cans
and all the help obtainable was soon ivorking under Mrs. Haskell's
intelligent direction. Peaches, plums and pears, were the fruits which
seemed the most practical sorts with which to experiment, hut small
fruits such as currants, blackberries, gooseberries, raspberries were not
neglected. The next thing to be considered was the important question
of marketing the products of her skill — alas! the demand must be
created as well as the goods produced — alas, again! She was twenty
years ahead of the age! I know a man today who was a clerk in a
merchant's store in Monroe, where Mrs. Haskell endeavored to introduce
her goods and have them sold. Mr. James Armitage was a kind man,
and most encouraging and helpful, and he put the attractively labeled
cans upon his shelves. People were not ready for this innovation, a few-
cans were sold to some of the best people who wished to encourage
Mrs. Haskell and to oblige Mr. Armitage. But as a matter of fact the
store clerks were the most appreciative customers and were given
carte hlanche to dispose of the delicious contents of the cans. They were
delicious, but they did not move, commercially. Detroit and Toledo
markets were invaded, but there was no demand. Nobody knew anything
about the fruit or its canning, nor about Mrs. Haskell — she was thirty
years ahead of her time. Today, she and her wonderfully wise precon-
ception are almost forgotten. But the fruit and vegetable canning
industry — still lives and thrives.
The Fzsiiing Industry
Fish is one of the very special crops that cannot be foretold. The
principal thing about it that can be predicted with any certainty is,
that if the weather is too rough, and other conditions are not right,
there will not be any fish. The business is carried forward with this
uncertainty : at best the aspect of it is one of hardship, privation, risk.
But there are always courageous, optimistic spirits to undertake it. The
business of fishing is a serious l)usiness, one that requires men to do it —
big, strong, adequate men— willing to meet the arduous toil that goes
with it; to be undismayed by failure and to "take things as they come."
Michigan Fisheries
The state of Michigan occupies a conspicuous position in the fishing
industry. She is foremost among the Great Lakes states in value of
fishery products. All the lakes except Ontario touch upon our state, but
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388 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Lakes Michigan am! Huron contribute the largest percentage of the
state yield.
It will be interesting to note the salient points in the specirtl report
on fisheries shown in the census of 11)10, for Michigan :
Total number of persons employed 3,472
Capital invested (vessels, inpludng ontfits) . . . .$ 594,01)0
Apparatus, nets, tools, etc 821 ,000
Shore and accessory property, and eash 599,000
Value of products 1,473,000
The state of Michigan has been alive to the importance of tliis great
industry, and the work of propagating various species of food iishes has
been vigorously and intelligently followed; these are matters of public
knowledge and local pride. In two years, from April, 1885, to February,
1887, for instance, there were distributed and deposited in the waters ot
the state from one state hatchery alone, 1,127,000 brook trout, 101,620,000
whitefish, 705,000 lake trout, 1,806,256 wall-eyed pike, 71,000 salmon,
825,000 eels, 5,510 carp. The waters in the neighborhood of Monroe
have been stocked from time to time from the state hatcheries. As stated
in onr opening lines, enormous variations occur in the tisbing business ;
1885, as a whole, is considered to have been a most remarkably prosperous
year ; the fisheries were prolific, and the price was favorable. Lake Erie
ranks lowest in importance in the fisheries, as will be seen by the annexed
table of number of men employed in 1908 :
Paid
Proprie- Em- to Kui-
District and class Total tors plovees ployees
Total 3,472 1,698 1.774 $527,000
Vessel fisheries 501 117 384 173,900
Transporting vessels 27 7 20 5,700
Shore and bont fisheries 2,766 1,574 1,192 286,000
Shoresmen 178 178
Lake Michigan district 1,268
Vessel fisheries 311
Transporting vessels 5
Shore and boat fisheries 873
Shoresmen 79
Lake Huron district 1,382
Vessel fisheries 131
Transporting vessels 22
Shore and boat fisheries 1,148
Shoresmen 81
Lake Superior district 371
Vessel fisheries 59
Shore and boat fisheries 297
Shoresmen 15
Lake Erie district (shore and boat
fisheries) 230 67 16;j IH.OOO
Lake St. Clair 221 189 32 11,000
Twenty-three species were taken in the fisheries of JMichigan. Lake
trout ranked first, being twenty-nine per cent of the value of all prod-
ucts of the state. Whitefish came next, including tlie long-jaw and
Menominee varieties. Also whitefish caviar stood next to lake trout in
importance, its value being twenty-three per cent of value of all the
fishery products of the state. Lake herring were taken in greater quan-
553
715
236.20(1
98
213
100,20(1
1
4
900
454
419
103.000
79
32,000
684
698
196,200
14
117
51,500
6
16
4,900
664
484
119,700
81
25,00(1
20;-^
166
57,200
5
54
23,200
200
97
27,000
15
7,000
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 389
titles than wliitefish and trout combined. Gill nets and pound and trap
nets arc the principal kinds of apparatus of capture, except on Lake
Superior, where gill nets are almost exclusively made use of. Notwith-
standing the fact that the Lake Erie fish were all of the shore and boat
class, fifteen species of fish were taken. No lake trout were reported as
taken in the fisheries of Lake Erie and lake herring only a negligible
proportion of the product. The German carp was the most important
product of this lake, being over one-half of the quantity and one-third
the value of the total catch of Lake Brie for Michigan and sixty-nine
per cent of weight and sixty per cent of value of the catch of this specie
in the state.
The Michigan State Board of Fish Commissioners, consists of three
members appointed by the governor for a terra of six years. The board
is entrusted with the supervision of the fishing interests of the state, and
is composed of the following: Delbevt H. Power, Sultin's Bay; Fred
Postal, Detroit; Walter I. Tlunsiikcr, Saginaw.
JldXROE fOl-NTY FiSIIKBIKS
The tislieries of Jlonroe C'ounty are confined to the west end of Lake
Brie extending along the eastern shores of the townships of Berlin,
Frenehtown, Monroe, Lasalle and Erie, along whose shores are a number
of bays where the pound and net fisheries are established. The first set-
tlers along our shores were not slow to discover the fact that the waters
which opened up beautiful vistas of landscape in every direction, were
alive with many species of most delicious game fish that ever populated
fresh water. They were not long in becoming familiar with the white-
fish which Charlevoix, tlie explorer, declared to he the "greatest deli-
cacy fo be found in any ^vaters" (and in which confident assertion he
has never yet found any one to quarrel with him), the blackbass, the
pickerel and the pike, the maskononge (muscalonge), the sturgeon, they
were all here to delight the newly arrived settler and must have done
much to reconcile the emigrant to less pleasurable features of his daily
menu. So we may saj' that the fisheries of Monroe county began when
the first man landed here.
But alas ! times and conditions have changed. The catching of fish in
these bays and sti'caras is not for home consumption only, — other less
favored localities clamor for the products of these waters, and cold stor-
age, refrigerator cars and rapid transit have made it possible to gratify
them. In the old days, these delicacies formed the staple article of food ;
then they were taken by "hook and line," however crude the lure —
there was the home-made dipnet — but no such wliolesale methods of
capture as the gill net nor seines, nor pound nets.
COMMEKCIAL FiSHING
Just when commercial fishing commenced in the waters around Mon-
roe it would be difficult to say, but there is no data to prove that any
was undertaken here previous to 1856, on any considerable scale ; but
about that time John P. Clarke, the veteran fisherman of Detroit, who
had been engaged in this business for some years, in the Detroit river and
along Canadian sliores, became interested, and took steps to prosecute
the business on a scale not before attempted. A few men interested in
the eastern fishing business were also on the ground to secure a footing
in the trade of the famed whitefish. Chittenden & Co. established a new
system, and the pound net appeared.
This firm was very successful, and added to their equipment, plant-
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390 HJSTORY OP BIOXROE COUNTY
iiig a series of pound nets from a point north of the government light
at the piers to Brest Bay, where ideal conditions prevailed for securing
large hauls of whitefish which were found there in great numbers, also
both black and white bass, pickerel, lake herring and other species of
fish, not heretofore found in this part of Lake Erie. A catch of two
thousand whitefish at one haul, was not phenomenal, but even this was
magnified to a degree that was only limited hy the Munchausen gifts
of the narrator of the "flsh stories."
The social and business status of the people engaged in this pursuit
was not always a demonstration of "good will to men" or "peace on
earth." There were claims and counter claims — backed hy muscle and
brawn; for there were no such things as "riparian rights," and other
legal obstaeles and regulations. It became highly important that there
should be such, and in 1869, the legislature passed an act, establishing the
riparian owner in the exclusive rights of fishing and driving stakes for
pounds, in front of his property on the great lakes in Michigan within
one mile of low water mark. The result of this statute was to greatly
increase the value of property fronting on the lake, which was taken
up at once by fishermen for the fishing rights alone.
The late Major A. J. Keeney -and E. B. Hedges of Erie were among
■ the first residents in the vicinity of the lake to recognize the importance
of tlie lake fisheries and began active operations to establish themselves in
the business, and acquired extensive holdings of land (and water). Mr.
Hedges died in 1880 or 1881, and his partner, Mr. Keeney, as executor
of the estate and for the firm of Hedges and Keeney, sold to J. N. Dewey
& Co., what is known as the Pointe Mouille (pronounced "Mouyay")
fishery. Mr. Keeney owned an interest in the Bay Point fishery which
had been a profitable property, but in 1887, he sold out to Alexander St.
John of Sandusky. The Deweys are the oldest fishermen connected with
the business, on the western end of Lake Erie, having been continuously
engaged in it since 1860, when Joseph B. and Jesse N. Dewey were in the
employ of John P. Clarke at Stony Point. Many others have been
engaged in the business during subsequent years, among whom, Henry
Paxton, Duclo and Duval were perhaps the most prominent. In 1887
the fisheries in the vicinity of Monroe were very prosperous, the number
of fish taken being in excess of any previous season for two decades.
There was also observed a marked improvement in the size and quality
of the fish. Some of record size being seen in this market, one of which
was taken by John Duelo, a male, 31^ inches in length and 20% inches
around the Irody, weighing 21i^ pounds when caught. The haul of
which this specimen was a part weighed something over nine tons, aver-
aging from two pounds to three and one-half pounds each up to the
mammoth size mentioned.
Fishing not all Profit
Some of the disagreeable incidents, as well as the severe losses which
are inevitably a part of the fishing business are due to violent and unex-
pected storms which sweep down upon the defenseless fishermen. One
of these destructive visitors appeared off Monroe piers on the 12th of
November, 1911, which was one of the worst and most disastrous that
had been experienced in late years. So violent was the gale that swept
out of the northeast and to such a height did the waves pile up. and
with such force did they tumble about that all attempts by the fisher-
men to reach their nets was prevented for several days, and when, finally,
they managed to do so, they found only fragments of nets here and
there at the pound stakes, and in some cases stakes and all were torn
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 391
up and scattered about on the surface, and eventually strewn along the
beach. The loss was practically total, and represented au investment
of from $20,000 to $30,000 at Moni-oe. This was a severe blow to the
local fishermen, wiping out the liard earned profits of more than one
prosperous season aad entailing months of winter work by all hands in
preparing anew for the coming season. This severe storm ravaged the
whole western coast of Lake Erie, and caused other heavy losses in boats
and equipment.
Sturgeon were wont to frequent the waters of the River Raisin in
almost incredible numbers, sixty years ago and still further back, to the
days of the very earliest settlement-. Indeed the name given to the
stream by the Indians was in the Pottawottoinie tongue, Numma-Sepee,
'"river of sturgeons," and which it retained until it became "the river
of grapes" (Riviere aux Raisins) of the more romantically and poeti-
cally disposed Prenoh in honor of their native vines. A former resident,
whose privilege it was as a boy, to enjoy the arcadian beauty of this
region, and whose father's farm fronted on the river, enthusiastically
recounts a sturgeon story which is singularly apropos at this point:
"When the first warm days lured the sturgeon and mnskalonge from their
home deep in the waters of tiie lake, to ascend the Raisin. I was always
among the first on the large platfonn, below a certain mill dam (washed
away many years ago) with spear in hand. Many a noble sturgeon five
and even six feet long have I seen extended upon the green banks and
the stony shores. I will admit that my ambition was not strong enough
to prompt an attack upon one of such formidable size and I confined m.v
efforts to those of more easily handled proportions. Once, however, I
was tempted to strike one of heroic size ; he was a whopper. My spear
fastened upon his body just back of the head, and before I realized the
full extent of the adventure, I was landed astride the monster, still
holding tenaciously to the spear handle, and hugging the fleeing sturgeon
with my bare legs in the effort to escape drowning. It was a wild
race for several rods until a shallow spot was reached in the river, when
I 'cast off' and reached shore safely. The spear and fish both, were
recovered by fishermen further below. I have often thought of the ex-
citing, if not ridiculous picture which this unsought adventure upon a
sturgeon's back mu.st have presented to those who witnessed it from the
shore. ' '
Winter Sports on the Ice
One of the welcome winter occupations of the Indians and the early
Frenchmen on the river Raisin and the bays along the western shores of
Lake Erie coml)ining sport and profit., was spearing fish through the
ice and it was by this means, too, that the winter's slender stock of pro-
visions was often replenished and varied, and given enjoyment afforded
by the multitude of muskalonge, pike, perch and other varieties that
were found in abundance in these waters and contributed to the family
larder. This sport is still found in favorable seasons attractive and
remunerative in some localities, but the primitive methods of the Indians
in the early days diifered, of course, from those commonly employed
now. It was a great novelty to the newcomers from the New England
states, who, often watched the proceedings with interest and astonish-
ment, as well as amusement. One of the visitors wrote a very clear and
amusing account of what he had witnessed in the following words:
. "As soon as the ice had reached a thickness to make it safe, I saw on
the river and on La Plaisance Bay, every day, a curious lot of black
dots on the ice,— in the retired nooks and coves along the shore. 'What
are they!' I asked; and the invariable reply was 'They are Indians
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392 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
fisliing.' This puzzled mv siill more, and I resolved to investigate. So
one day I crossed the frozen river, and approaehing one of those myster-
ious black dots, found it to be apparently only a bundle in a blanket,
scarcely large enougii to contain a human form. But looking closer, [
could see, first from one bundle and then another, the quick motion of
a pole, or spear-liandle, bobbing up and down. A word, a touch, even
a gentle push, only called out a gi-unt in reply, but at last one bundle
did stretch into a liright young Indian brave, with wondering and won-
derful eyes peering at me from under a mop of black and glossy hair. A
little tobacco, a little pantomime, and a little broken English succeeded
in making him understand that I wished to know how he carried on liis
fishing under that funny heap.
"Then I saw it all. Seated, Turk fashion, on the border of his blan-
ket, which he could thus draw up so as to entirely envelop himself in it,
he was completely in the dark, so far as the daylight was concerned; a?id,
thus' enshrouded, he was hovering over a round hole in the ice, about
eighteen inches in diameter. A small tripod of. birch sticks erected over
the hole helped to hold up the l)lanket and steady a spear, which, with
a delicate handle nine or ten feet long, was held in the right hand, the
tines resting on the edge of the hole, and the end of the pole sticking
through an opening in the blanket above. From the other hand, dropped
into the water was a string on the end of which was a rude wooden
decoy-fish, small enough to represent bait to the \iiisiispecting perch or
pickerel which should spy it. The decoy was loaded so as to sink
slowly, and was so moved and maneuvered as to imitate the motions of.
a living fish.
"Crawling under the blanket with my Indian friend, I was surprised
at the distinctness and beauty with which everything could be seen h\-
the subdued light that came up through the ice. The bottom of the
river, six or eight feet below us, was clearly visible, and seemed barely
four feet away. The grasses, vegetable growths and spots of pebbly
bottom formed curious little vistas and recesses, in some of which dream-
ily floated a school of perch and smaller fish. Eacii little air-bubble spar-
kled like a gem, and the eye delighted in tracing and watching the mys-
tery of beautifiil water formations, where every crevice seemed a little
fairy world, with changing lights or shadows made by the sunliglit
through the transparent ice."
The same results are obtained by the French in a more comfortalile
and convenient manner by the use of a small fishing house roughly made
of boards, only large enough to contain the fisherman and a very small
sheet-iron stove for warmth. This little shanty is made as tight as
possible, to exclude every ray of sunlight, through the slanting roof a
hole is pierced lai^ enough for a spear handle to protrude, and to
work easily through it. A pair of rude runners are fastened to the
bottom of the house, for the purpose of moving it easily about on the
ice or snow from place to place as it becomes desirable to change loca-
tion. The fisherman prepares his lure or bait, attached to a long line
and properly weighted which he gently drops into the water beneath,
through a hole twenty or thirty inehes square, eut in the ice, and with his
long handled four fined spear held firmly in his right hand, the upper
part running up through the hole in the roof, he silently watches for the
appearance of his victims. The general difference in the two methods
consists in the substitution of the more comfortable little house for the
Indian's tripod and blanket, the other eircurasfances described in the ,
letter, it will be noted, being very similar. In the latter, too, the smallest
imaginable sheet-iron stove and a rude seat is provided for the comfort
of the fisherman, and on this he can sit and smoke his pipe to pass the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 393
liiiie while sili'iitly waiting. Tiie decoy is usually made from some light
wood 3iid lirilliantly colored with fiiis of tin, whieh seldom fails to
attraet at onee within reach of the deadly spear, a fine pike or pickerel,
which are far the more numerous, though other species wandering about
in the depths are sometimes taken in fliis way, but whitefisli or black
bass very seldoin indeed.
TiiK German C'Aiii'
Some thirty years ago the German carp was imported,
mainly for tlie purpose of stocking small ponds and lakes, its edible
qualities being lauded by the press generally, and its peculiar tameness
and adaptability to life in show ponds aud other restricted waters
arousing much enthusiasm for the experiment. The fish, however, fell
far sliort of what had been expected of it- in almost every respect, for
not only did it fail to find favour as a food in comparison with tlie
more delicately flavored loeal varieties of fish, but also chiefly owing
to ignorance of the proper jiielhods of handling it on the part of the
majority of those into whose ponds it was introduced, it appeared at first
even to flourish none too well. As a result the enthusiasm for the
carp very soon subsided, but little attention was paid to it even where it
had been introduced, and its introduction into public waters, either by
deliberate plantation or through its escapes into them from the ponds in
which it was confined at times of flood or freshet, created biTt little stir or
comment. To-day there is, in the fresli waters of this continent at least,
no flsh against which more scathing or widely divergent indictments
have been hurled.
In the thirty years which have elapsed since its importation the
carp has thriven and spread in a most remarkable manner, equally
astonishing in fact, as the extraordinary increase and dispersion of the
imported English sparrow, until, as in the case of the sparrow, it has
become perfectly apparent that the day lias passed when it coiild be
exteniiinated, and diat for better or worse it has come to stay.
The carp has been dubbed the "hog of the waters" and the simile
would not appear to be inapt, for, living as it does in comparatively
shallow waters and feeding chiefly on the bottom, almost anything in the
shape of vegetable or animal life that ivill pass into its small mouth
appears good to it as food, and it will grub and burrow in the mud,
digging up the vegetation in search of roots or, perhaps, various forms
of animal life. It is a hardy fish, as evidenced by the varying conditions
and temperatures to which it will adapt itself. Indeed, instances have
been known where the fish has been frozen stiff for consi<lcrable periods
and resuscitated when thawed out, while in Germany, where the fish
is much appreciated and its eonsiimption is general, it is frequently
packed for the market in wet moss and tmder these conditions remains
alive for no little time. It is recorded also that the top layers of these
fish, when packed on ice and shipped by freight from Ohio to New York,
are frequently found to be alive on reaching the market.
It is held that the carp will live to an e.xtraordinary age, 100 to 150
years, and attain a weight of from eighty to ninety pounds, and although
there appears to be little reliable evidence as to the correctness of these
statements, at least it is certain that under favorable conditions the
fish will live a great many years and attain a very considerable weight,
epeeimens M'ell over twenty pounds having already been caught in the
waters adjacent to Monroe.
The carp, which commences to breed, apparently, in its third year,
is remarkably prolific, as evidenced by the fact that one reliable authority
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mi HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
has placed the average number of egga of a four to five pound fish at
400,000 to 500,000, while other instances are recorded of larger fish con-
taining eggs to a number exceeding two millions. It is a school breeder,
however, and particularly careless in the matter of its eqgs, which are
scattered over the vegetation in the shallow waters and left to take care
of themselves without any further precaution on the part of the fish. To
this fact may, perhaps, be attributed in part the abnormal increase in the
carp in the waters of this continent, for the habitual enemies of spawn
would not have been seeking for it in the open places in which it is left
by this imported fish, and thus an abnormal percentage of eggs would
have been successfully hatched.
The carp has been accused of many villianies, chief amongst which
are that it drives the black bass from its nest, that it is a spawn eater,
that it devours the young of other fishes, that by nvoting in the mud it
renders the water so roily that the breeding grounds of other fishes are '
spoiled and the fishes themselves forced to abandon the locality, and
lastly, but by no means least, that it destroys the beds of wild rice and
celery which in the past have been favorite feeding grounds of the
wild ducks. To this latter charge, at least, it would appear that the
carp must be held guilty, although, perhaps, not quite to the extent to
wliich it is accused, for there are well-known instances, such as certain
portions of the St. Clair Plats and in some of the marshes around Monroe,
where since the appearance of this fish in numbers the wild rice and
celery beds have rapidly disappeared. The rooting habits of the fish,
previously referred to, would account for this, especially as it is par-
ticularly fond of weedy and marshy places such as are afforded by beds
of these descriptions. The other charges, however, are not so easily
established. The male black bass on its nest is no despicable warrior, and
it is more than doubtful whether the sluggish and cowardly carp would
not prefer to retreat than to give battle to such an antagonist. Possibly
schools of this fish passing over the district in which the black bass were
nesting might dislodge the guardians of the nests, but there is no
authentic proof of this as yet, while specific instances have, on the other
hand, been adduced of an improvement in the bass fishing coincident
with the arrival of the carp. Doubtless if the male bass were absent for
any reason from the nest, the carp would eat the spawn if it chanced
that way, as it would other spawn that it might come across in the course
of its painstaking search for food, for, as before stated, to the carp all
food is desirable which will pass into its mouth, but the carp has yet to
be proved guilty of being a regular and persistent spawn seeker and
eater, investigations of the stomachs of many of them having failed to
establish any such proclivities. The feeding methods of the carp cannot
fail to render the water roily, and it is, therefore, well possible that when
the carp takes possession of more or less restricted areas of water, such
a clean water loving fish as the black bass wiU depart, but other deep
water sporting fishes, such as the pickerel and lake trout, would not be
alfected, nor does it seem probable that the spawning beds of those fishes
which seek the sandy or rocky reefs could be materially injured by the
carp. As to the charge of voraciousness in regard to the young of other
fishes, the small, suckerdike mouth and general sluggish disposition of
the carp are against the supposition that it can be a persistent hunter of
swimming fishes, although undoubtedly it would gladly devour any small
fishes that it could easily secure, so that its depredations under this head
are assuredly insignificant. On the other hand it has been established that
young carp are very acceptable food to the black bass and other sporting
and predaeeous fishes.
The main objections to the carp would thus appear to be that it
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 395
renders waters roily and destroys much a<|uatic vegetation suitable as
food for dueks, and that in so doin*; it may be disturbing aquatic
conditions generally to a degree sufficient to materially aiEect the exist-
ence of other forms of fisli and animal life.
Ill favor of the carp the most salient feature is undoubtedly its
commercial value. Already a considerable market for it lias been devel-
oped in the larger American cities, the average price to the Jishermen
being from I14 to 21^ cents per pound, and the chief consumers, Germans
and Jews. Trade in this fish from the waters of Lake Erie has already
reached no small proportions. Special seine licenses are issued for its
capture, the carp being such an active and wary fish that it can but
rarely be caught in gill or pound nets, and by means of those seines many
toTis are now annually removed averaging from Ave to eight pounds in
weight. It is plain, therefore, that the carp will afford a cheap food, not
only to the Germans and to the Jews, whose f ore-pai-eiits better understood
how to prepare the fish for the fable, but also to the poorer classes of
the community. Moreover, a red caviar, much esteemed by the Jews,
can be manufactured from the roe of carp, and since no means as yet has
been discovered of rendering this caviar the blue-black color of stur-
geon caviar, it is always easily recognisable, so that there could be no
objection to the development of this enterprise. The palate, some-
times called the tongue, is in some portions of the world considered also
a great delicaej'. Further, if no other use could be found for carp, at
least a profitable industry conld be founded by turning them into valuable
fish fertilizer.
Dr. S. P. Bartlett, a champion of the carp, claims for its superior
edible (lualities, which however, are not verified among epicures in this
vicinity. He claims, among other things that the popular dislike of
carp is due in part, at least to prejudice, for, he says, there are instances
on record of tliis fish having been served in hotels and restaurants under
other designations, such as blue fish, red snapper, without apparently
being detected by the majority of the guests. Moreover, Germans will
sometimes select this fish by choice to the finer American varieti(«, while
as already noted, the Jews are particularly partial to it. As sport for
anglers, the carp can lay small claim to distinction whatever may have
been written about it. As a game fish and so long as black bass, trout,
pickerel or pike, even, siirvive, there is little inducement to seek the
carp as a substitute, although Mr, D, M. Harley, a sportsman of Peoria,
Illinois, takes this view of the matter :
"Carp fishing with hook and line has now taken its place with bass
and other kinds of fishing. All along the river in this locality carp are
being caught freely with hook and line this year, and to say that they
are gamey is not half expressing it. I have talked with no less than
twenty-five persons, who were busy catching carp and in every instance
I was told that it was rare sport to hook a carp, as it was <]uite as much
a trick to land one as it was to land a bass. Dip nets were used generally
to land the carp, as the activity of the fish when jerked out of the water
would tear the gills and free the fish quite often. The bait used when
fishing for carp is dough balls and partly boiled potatoes, the latter
being the best in the opinion of the majority. The carp will bite on worms
also quite freely. An old German, who lives here, goes daily to the rivers
with a regular fly-casting pole and reel to fish for carp. Of course he
exchanges the fly for the regulation hook, but he uses his reel in landing,
and says that there is no finer sport than fishing for carp. As for the
sport of catching carp with hook and line I consider it e(|aal to anything
in the way of pleasure fishing, as the fish is gamey and will fight as hard
against being landed as bas.s or other game fish, and is to be handled with
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396 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
precaution on account of the tender gills, which will often tear when
hooked by an inexperienced angler. In the past two years carp have
become popular where they were unpopular, because of the wearing away
of the prejudice that they were oS no benefit to the angler on account of
the belief that they would not take the hook. Now it is different, as the
very ones who were so loud in their protests against the carp have found
great sport in taking them with the hook and line, and it is wonderful
to hear the change of sentianent as to the carp for food purposes. They
are a good iish now and fit for a king in comparison to what was said of
them while the prejudice still existed. To my mind the carp is a good
fish for food purposes and is fast finding favor in the west in every way,
now that the angler has found that it is the coining fish for sport."
The Sturgeon
Of all fislies to be found in the waters of the lakes region, the stui^eon
is individually by far the most valuable at the present time, chiefly
owing to the extraordinary commercial value of ca.viar, which is made
from the roe of this fish. The sturgeon formerly abonnded throughont
the great lakes, running freriuently to an enormous size, and was found
also in great quantities in the River Raisin, but the rapidly increasing
demand led to such a vigorous pursuit of it that in those accessible
waters of the state which have been fished commercially, its numbers
have dwindled almost to vanishing point. In the proposed code of regu-
lations for the international fisheries of tlie great lakes, attention is
strikingly called to this fact by a most wise and timely provision to the
effect that no sturgeon shall be fished for iii any of the international
waters for a period of four years from the date of promulgation of the
regulations, and it would seem more than probable that once these
provisions are in force it M^ill be found desirable to extend this terui in
order to give the fish a reasonable elianee of extensive reproduction.
The sturgeon was not always held in high esteem on this continent.
but on the contrary for a long time was viewed as a nuisance by tin!
fishermen on account of the damage it would do their nets and becau&e,
also, white people were prejudic-ed against its use for food. More often
than not the fish, when taken, were knocked on the head and thrown
hai'k.into the water, or left in heaps on the beach to rot or to he carried
off h.v farmers and used as fertilizer, while during this period, if the fish
could be sold at all, they would not bring the fishermen more than ten
cents apiece. In striking contrast to this figure is the record of a sale
of ninety-six sturgeon in 1899 for $3,923, or a little over $40 apiece.
About 1860, the first efforts were made in the great lake region in the
direction of smoking the flesh of the sturgeon, and between that date
and 1880 the trade in the fish developed in a marvellous fashion, owing
to the demand for the smoked flesh and for the bladders, which ivorc
manufactured into isinglass, but chiefly on account of the great European
demand for caviar, reaching in 1880 for the continent a total of nearly
12,000,000 pounds of sturgeon products.
The River Raisin was once famous for the extraordinary abundance
of sturgeon which inhabited its waters, so much so, that the Pottawatamie
Indians, whose habitat was in this region, gave it the name of Numa-see-
pee, which in their language, signified "the river of sturgeon." The
French, however, prefered the more musical designation of Rivi&re aux
Raisins or the "river of grapes." The taste and appetite for caviar did
not then develop and the consumption of this great iish was dependent
upon the appetites of the French and Indians, who prepared it in variou'i;
ways when freshly caught, and preserved it for future use by salting and
smoking it in enormous quantities.
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IIISTOKV OF MONROE COUNTY 397
Exi'OBTATION OB' CaTTLE AXD HofJS
The exportation of cattle and hogs from tht county during tlie
spi'ing months of 19J2 was larger tlian for the same period in its history.
Several carloads of fat beeves were shipped during the first week of
May, numbering 150 iiead from farms along the River Raisin within
four or five miles from the eity. The exceptionally high prices oiEered,
brought out some very tine beef; the price for the latter averaged
$7.75 per cwt. At the same time several car loads of hogs were shipped,
the price of which averaged $8.75 per cwt. Tliese are among the "largest
shipjiients made from Monroe in recent years. Other large shipments
H'Ci-e made during tlie spring ami summer months to eastern markets.
Ki.<)i:r JIn,i,s
As early as 1S20 Ihe Waterloo Mills were started, aitd JMonroe, from
its natural advantages, became the grain market of southeastern Michi-
gan. About 1840 the Monroe City Mills were built, and the Erie Mills,
of Black Bock, near IJuifalo, New York, sent Mr. F. Waldorf to take
charge of the former, which they had rented of Mr. Beach in 1842,
and three years later they leased the latter, Mr. Waldorf superintending
the working of both, while Samuel J. Ilolley had charge of the outside
work. At this time money did not enter into the dealing in grain, and
trade was all in dicker. These being the only mills in this section of
the country, parties came from as far as Maumce City and Avaited for
their grist to he ground. About the time the Jlonroe City Mills were
built bv liirch & Frost, a water-power and dam had been eoustrueted
l)v Haeon & Lawirncc. and prior to the (MTupaiicv of tlic mill by Jlr.
Waldorf, a (|uarter interest was owned liy K-,u-h. In 1H44 llic Ki-i<> Mills
as a forwarding in.stittitioii, did not find it to liicir interest to be known
in connection with the mills at Jlonroe as proprietors, and so persuaded
.Messrs. Waldorf & Ilolley to lease tliem. which was done in 1845. Six
years later the Waterloo .Mills were tboiwigbly overhauled and refitted
ami in 1852 were ])ui'c!iased by Mr. Waldorf, who sold them in 185H to
Jlessrs. Xornmn & I'erkins, the latter continuing in possession until
1.870, when they were sold to Stiles & Uavvey. In 1875 Harvey sold his
interest to Mr, C. C .lolnison. who continued in [lartnei'ship initil 1881,
when Mr. Sliles beeanie (he owniT by purchasing the interest held by
Ml'. Johnson, again cliaugin!.' in 1887. with Cvrus Sliles in charge. This
left Mr. "Waldorf in full charge of the :M<.uroe City Mills.
Prior to the opening of the canal, all slii|>meatK of tlour and other
irijtterjals had to be made from La Plaisance Hay, to which point a track
was laid, and ears dravni by horses as a motive power. Tliere being no
warehouses at Ypsilaiiti, Ann Arbor, or in fact anywliere except at
Monroe, it was the best wheat market in this section of the country,
and it was no uiuis\ial thing at early morning to see the streets in the
^icinitj' of the mill blocked with teams waiting to unload, the farmers
having eonie in from taverns near by, where they had I'cmained over
night so as to be on hand in time. The mills were run to their fullest
capacity day and night, shipments made to tiie Unffalo market, ve^els
leaving the bay with two and three thousand barrels of flour, which
were freciuentiy sold long before the boat reached its destiiied point,
liutt'alo at that time was the great distribnting point for that section,
and the reputation of Monroe tlour was of the higliest. On tiie comple-
tion of the canal warehouses were read.\', and wlieat that could not be at
once used in the nulls found a ready safe there, tlie first ones in the field
being started by Sterling & Noble.
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398 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
When the railroads were released from the state and passed under
private control, competition at other points began and Monroe lost its
prestige, although it has ever had its fair share of business in the grain
market. About 1875 the machinery of the Bay City Mill at Sandusky
(where it had been for forty years) was shipped to Slonroe and a mill
started by Mr. Boyd, and after passing through several hands, the
"Standard" Mill came into the possession of Messrs. Johnson & Stiles
in 1879, who operated it till 1883, as Eagle Mills, when it was shut down.
The little mill of Caux & Stiles was originally a store about 1875 ; within
a year the machinery of the mill from Adrian was put in operation in
the old store room.
The Amendt Milling Company
The Amendt Milling Company came to Monroe in 1895 and purchased
the Monroe City Mills. This plant was established in 1840, and placed
in charge of Frederick Waldorf as stated at the beginning of this article.
The e(|uipment of the mill at the time of its purchase by Mr. Amendt
was very much an antiquated affair, and little calculated to compete
with modern methods. It had previous to 1885 been operated under
water power, and its product so unimportant as to scarcely merit men-
tion—nevertheless the first flour ever shipped out of Michigan to the
East was a consignment of 200 barrels manufactured at the Waterloo
Mills by Miller and Jermain of Monroe in 1827. It went by boat to
Buffalo, thence by canal to New York, It sold readily and established
a reputation for its excellent quality. The Waldorf Jlill as it was gen-
erally known continued to he operated by its new owners until 1905
when a company was incorporated and a new, up-to-date roller mill was
built in the first ward on the line of the L. S. & M. S. Railroad and
equipped with all the most modem devices for manufacturing high grade
flour. They found a ready market for their product in the east and
south, and in 1912 are using 500,000 bushels of M'heat, about 300,000
bushels of corn and nearly 1,000,000 bushels of oats. They employ the
utmost capacity of four elevators, located in Ida, Petersburg, New-
port and Monroe, besides one lately acquired in Ohio. The demand
for the various grains raised in Monroe county and adjacent territory
makes this one of the best markets in the state and one of the most
active manufacturing establishments in southeastern Michigan. Tlie
"Lotus" flour is everywhere noted for its excellent (juality and has
a large sale locally.
The Waterloo Roller Mills are operated by SchoU & Rath on the
same site on the banks of the River Raisin in the little suburb of Monroe,
known from time immemorial as Waterloo. They manufacture the "Gilt
Edge" brand of flour which has a widespread reputation and is largely
sold in the local trade as well as shipped to other places. They manu-
facture a high grade buckwheat flour and corn meal, as well as their
staple line of wheat flour.
Thi: Boriime & Rxvcn Co.
The old "rope walk" established many years ago by the father of
the late C. A. Boehme, who conducted the manufacture of cordage in a
somewhat primitive "'ay, was the foundation of the present Boehme &
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY ^99
Rauuh Company one of the largest institutions in thwir line in tlie
United States. In May 1899 a co-partnership was formed, consisting of
C. A. Boehme, E. C. Ranch and J. P. Bronson, dealing in cordage and
sporting goods, for the purpose of manufacturing paper, Tliey leased
the old Waldorf Paper Mills located on the river front at the foot of
Sterling street, where the evolution of the present extensive business
began. There was one small binder board machine producing about
two tons per day. This mill was operated by the Cordage Company
for about one year, when they bought (he old flouring mill at corner
of First and "Winchester streets, installed therein four binder board
machines and called it Mill No. 2.
In May, 1902, the partnership was incorporated under the laws
of Jlichigan as The Boehme & Ranch Company with a paid in capital
of $100,000, and built what is now known as the B. & R. Co. Mill No. :j
with capacity of 30 tons box board per day. In August, 1904, the capital
was increased to $200,000 and the factory of the Monroe Folding Box
Company bought. This is now known as Plant No. 4.
In 1907 the capital was increased to $500,000 and the box factory
enlarged and improved, enabling it to use for the manufacture of boxes
all the board made in No. 3 mill. In 1909 the capital was again increased
$500,000 and another paper mill built, the one now know as Mill
No. 5. This year (1912), buildings are being erected to enable the box
factory to use all the box board now made in Mills No. 3, and 5, about
seventy tons. The products made will amount to about $1,500,000 in
folding paper boxes and fibre shipping cases.
C. A. Boehme, first vice president of this company died in 1909.
Otherwise tlie present officers, E. C. Ranch, president, F. E. Williamson
and H. Lee Ranch, vice presidents, J. P. Bronson, treasurer and W. C.
TuUis, secretary, have been in active management of the company since
its organization. The capital of this company was increased in January,
1913, to $800,000.
The following are the dimensions of the present buildings compris-
ing the plant and capacity : Length of front wall. 1 ,485 feet ; floor space,
223,640 square feet; capacity of board mills, 90 tons daily; output of
folding box plant, 4 cars daily.
The Weis Manufacturing Company
It is a matter of about fourteen years since Mr. A. L. "Weis thought
well enough of his "Patent Magazine binder" to hitch the two names
together and add "Company," Thus the Weis Binder Company, of
Toledo, was organized, and to this the Weis Manufacturing Company
of jMonroe, traces its origin. As is the case in most of our infant indus-
tries, the progress during the first few years was slow. Brush tube
paste — ^now sold all over this and foreign countries — was added, the idea
of combining a brush with the tube holding the paste meeting with almost
immediate favor.
It was about this time that the Card Index and Loose Leaf Systems
were first generally introduced. On the wave of "System" which swept
the business world — propelled by the enthusiasm and ingenuity of several
Weis brothers, the business was so greatly expanded that the facilities
ofEered in Monroe overshadowed the advantages Toledo offered, and so
the first of the buildings at Monroe was started in the fall of 1905
and completed early in 1906, at which time the entire operations were
transferred from Toledo to Monroe. About sixty people constituted the
working force at that time, many of them moving from Toledo with the
firm.
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400 H [STORY OP MONROE COUNTY
During llie following Ihrt't years inan.v new articles were added to
the lines, which caused a general and rapid development of the business
— both from the maniifacturing and selling standpoint. The sales force
was then calling on the stationery trade, which demjiudcd as complete
a line aa possible. They wanted sectional bookcases. The business, pat-
ents, plant, etc., of a firm at Ann Arbor were on the market and the
whole outfit was purchased in 1908. For obvious reasons it was not good
business to operate two similar plants and the whole Weis organization
was finally consoliated at Moni'oe late in 1908.
An addition to the building. — contaiiking more than double the rioor
space in the fii-st plant, was completed and in active operation by the
summer of 1909. The working force had then increased to about one
hundred and fifty. During 1912 the increased production of filiug de-
vices, card index and other office systems, a new line of bookcases and
several otiier important additions, made a third liuilding necessary,
which was put in operation in the summer of 1912. This new building
is the largest of the three structures, it having a floor space of 45,000
square feet, in November, 1912, the total floor space of the three biiild-
ings was 120,000 Sf|uare feet with SOO employees and a yearly pay roll
approximating !|!l75,000.
From the raw material every step or process in tbc rnjuiiifaetnre of
wood and fibre board filing and office ei]uipment is done by tliis company.
From flu' kiln drying, of tlie lundwr to its ultimate finishing in the
form of filing systenjs. bookcases for home and office, etc.; the cutting,
scoring and printing of all index and guide cards; the entire production
of advertising jn'intfd matter and catalogs, which was formerly done out-
side, is all areompHslied in the one institution. The produet of this
company is known wherever business letters are written or received.
The domestic husiness ranks well witli other longer established ccmcerm
in the same line and llie I'xport demand for Weis goods is growing
rapid h'.
A. L. Weis is |)ivsidenl mikI jiem-ral maiiMger: (). T, Weis. secretary
and treasurer; F, \. Weis, vice pi'esideiiL TIicsi^ men, with W. C. ^Veis.
K. J. Weis and 1I._(,'. Weis. are the board of dire^-tors. All are actively
engaged in llie business of the company.
The JbjNUOK TJixokk Ho.vinj C'o.MiMNV
was organized in IVIonroe, June 32, 1!I06 with a eai'ital of ^2(50.(100.00.
for the manufacture of paper boards, a product wbh'li is ust'd mainly as
a substitute for manufacturing shipjiing packages and for bookbiuder's
work. The firm claims to be the largest manufacturers of binder's board
in the world, ha^'ing a capacity of sixty tons per day. The plant is
located in the first ward, near the tracks of the Pcre Marquette, and
the L. S. & ^1. S. R. R.. affording excellent shipping facilities for their
large product. This embraces binder's board, trunk board, veneer board.
templet board, leather board, air dried straw board, fibre shipping case
board, cylindrical fibre cheese boxes, coffee drums, spice drums ajid
candy pails; to which list additions are made as required. In addition
to the Monroe plant which employs approximately 150 men a factor\'
is operated at Aurora, 111.
The officers and directors of the Company are as follows; L. W.
Newcomer, President; E. C. Retz, secretary; li. W. Leathers, treasurer;
L. ('. Knapp. vice president, who are also direetora together with I. A.
Newcomer, II. F. Leathers, Charles Eggert and Don Leathers.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 4OI
EivEE Raisin Papek Company
The River Raisin Paper Company was organized June 20, 1910, with
a capital stock of $150,000, although at the present time about $300,000
is invested in the business. There are employed steadily, one hundred
and tiventy-five people and there is paid out, annually, $80,000 for labor.
T]ie business comprises the manufacture of fibre shipping cases, which
are used for shipping merchandise of all kinds, either by freight or by
express, largely taking the place of wooden shipping eases. On account
of the high price of lumber, it became necessary to find some substitute,
and the fibre shipping case seems to fit in here to good advantage; the
demand for this product is far in excess of what was anticipated. The
market is practically unlimited. These cases are shipped ail over the
I'nited States and Canada.
The material used in making tliose cases is largely paper stock
that is gathered up in the various cities all over the country, although
the outside lining, which necessarily must be of tougher material is
imported from Sweden.
The officers and directors are as follows: president, Mr. D. C. Jen-
kins. Kokomo, Indiana; vice president, treasurer and general manager,
li. IT. "Wood, Monroe; secretary, A. "W'. Stitt, Monroe; directors, F. P.
Walter, Monroe and J. Frank Gray, Cliicago, 111.
The plant occupies a floor space of 125,000 square feet.
The mill is located on the site of the historic River Raisin battle
■■roiind, where the bloody eiiKagPnient was fought between the British
itnd Indians, and the Kentucky troo])s, who had come to the rescue of
till' imperiled seftlei's and where the- frightful massacre occurred, in
January, 3813.
In the course of excavating for foundations and cellars for the mill, a
large (|uantit,\' ol' I'elies were exhumed, consisting of well preserved
skelefons, tojnahawks. hunting knives, military bntiona, articles of pot-
U'l'v. rosaries and a few coins, also a few <'annon balls six pound
i-alilire. One of the skeletons evidently was that of an Indian chief of
very lar^'e proportions with whom were buried bis iinpleinents of war.
Tile collection of r'clies has been carefully preserved by tiic mill proin'ie-
tors and is exbibiled to visitors.
Tlir. El.KKAIJT J[.\NrFACTrEIN(i CoJil'A.NY
This is one ol' tile new manufacturing plants added to the indnstrici^
of Monroe during the year 1912. It was formerly located at Elkhart.
IncHana, where they were engaged in the manufacture of alternating
current magnetos for stationary and marine gas engines. Tliey re-
moved to Monroe and reorganized the company November 1, 1!)11, the
stock i|>60,000 being largely subscribed here ; the following comprise the
otifieei-s of the company: H. S. Hubbard, president; E. C. Ranch, vice
president; E. L. ICerstetter, secretary and manager; B. Freidinburg,
treasurer; P. T. Becker, general superintendent; Walter Brown, sales
miiniiger. The present output of the factory is about 100 maeliines
tlail\' with a capacity of 250. Since the establishment of the company
in .Slonroe. the capital stock has been increased seventy-five per cent,
to !|<1 10.000, all being subscrilied for by present stockholders. Their out-
put is sold to manufacturers of gas and gasoline engines fnrnishing a
liettcr iiijicliine for much less money than their competitors are doing.
The Monroe Giaps Company
liHs been among the active enterprises of Monroe for several years, in-
creasing its plant twice, and enlarging the scope of its business of manu-
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402 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
facturing specialties in glassware, jars, etc. The plant is located on First,
street, one block east of the Michigan Central Railroad, the business
being under the management of A. L. Parker.
The Monroe AVoolen Hill
For more than fifty years, this name has been a familiar one in Mon-
roe. Their original line of manufaetiire was woolen cloths, flannels,
blankets and yarns. The Norman brothers, Thomas and John owned
the mill for many years, also Noble and Redfield, and others have oper-
ated it. Some years ago it passed into the ownership of Plewes, who
invented and manufactured a sanitary all-wool bed comforter, substi-
tuting a specially prepared wool bat in place of cotton, as ordinarily
made, which has been successful. In 1812 Ed. G. J. Lauer and Capt.
I. S. Harrington bought the property and continued the business with
Mr. l^lewes as superintendent. The plant is located on the River Raisin
in the suburb known as Waterloo, and is operated by wire drive from
the Waterloo mills, adjacent.
The Monroe Foundry and Furnace Company
The present large and flourishing institution, located in the block at
the corner of Monroe and Fifth streets succeeded the firm of Smith &
McLaren, foundry men.
When the manufacture of the Floral City warm air furnaces began,
a company was incorporated in 1900 under the name of the ilonroc
Foundry and Furnace Company, and the business greatly increased by
the addition of local capital. The product of the factory is marketed
in Michigan and the Middle West. The death of the president of the
i.'ompany, Mr. Andrew Kaier, in 1908, was a severe blow to the business,
for it was by his energetic efforts that the large business was >milt up
and maintained. His son, Walter P. Baier takes his place with A.
Goetler as principal traveling salesmen. Another son, Francis," is also
connected with the company. The officers at the present time are:
Andrew Wagner, president; Mathew F. Sieb, vice-president; W. P.
Cook, secretary and treasurer; Geo. G. Goetler, superintendent: A.
Wagner, assistant superintendent.
The above, with Jas. Eisenman, Walter P. Baier, W. C. Sterling,
Benj. Sturn, Geoi^e Gassel, constitute the board of directors.
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CHAPTER XXXI
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS
"Michigan Sentinel," by Edward D. Ellis — Monroe "Journal and
Commercial" — Wiiio Organs — The "Monroe Commercial" Again
Monroe "Democrat" — TJnsuccesspul Ventures— Monroe "Rec-
ord-Commercial"— Outside op Monroe
In Monro*; ivas founded the second newspaper in Michigan.
It is a singular fact that between 1806 and 1820, no provision had
been made for publishing the territorial laws, and some of them had
been lost and wore never found. In 1816, a meager volume was puli-
lished in Detroit, printed so poorly that the matter was seareely legible,
containing the titles of some laws, and abstracts of others ; but very few
were completed; this was caused by the want of adequate means. In
1820, Congress appropriated $1,200 for the publication of existing laws,
when the legislative board compiled ajid revised their legislation, putting
it in good form to supply the place of a code. This was probably the
first effort made in the territory to acquaint the people with the proceed-
ings of the govermuent's formulating laws for the regnlation of matters
of public and private concern.
"MicitiGAN Sf:ntinel'' by Ed\v.\rd 1>. Eej.is
In 1825, but two newspapers existed in the territory, and one of
these, the Michigan Sentiitd, was established in 5Ionroe, the other being
the Gazette published in Detroit. The first published in Detroit was
"The Michigan Essay" by Father Gabriel Richard in 1809.
Monroe was very fortunate indeed, in having attracted hither, as its
first journalist, a most enterprising and capable young man, Mr. Edward
D. Ellis, who arrived in June, 1825, and prepared to locate permanently
in the active, rapidly growing and pleasant village on the Raisin. He
was the man preeminently fitted for the opportunity, and the people
received him in the most cordial spirit, realizing that the principal factor
in the development of the new territory and in furtherance of the rela-
tion of Monroe with the outside world, and the lively politics of the
times, as well as the potentiality of the commercial greatness of the
town would now be supplied. Mr. Ellis brought with him from Buffalo,
the press and other equipment for the newspaper ; a convenient printing
oifiee was secured for him by the business men of the village, and the
Sentinel was in due time launched, receiving the liberal support of the
townspeople, in advertising and subscriptions. I have three consecutive
numbers of this old paper, kindly loaned by D. R. Crampton, of the
Monroe Democrat. Its local news department is full of information in
regard to the events and enterprises of the day. The following extract
will afford an excellent view of the active business doing in real estate,
shipping and merchandizing:
403
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HISTORY OP MONEOB COUNTY
LiJt'- .J h ' \K
Bar. yWS^ «. _
Mv! I- bOLTIlll.AS^LK^ P^HTIIN OP MlCIlIClN (ISSo)
1 1 •* > cr sho g old bo ndarj 1 ne botnce Oh o n 1 "M
Til 1 "\r ee Ba Le I, tie "\[o ( t
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Google
HISTORY OP MONEOE COUNTY 405
■'Sale of Village Lots"
"The sale of property in our village wntinues unabated, and sales
thus far obtain the same high prices of the preceding two weeks ; and we
may truly say lots have risen considerably within the last week, inasmuch
as none can be purchased at former prices. Many landholders in town
have refused one hundred per cent advance on last week's purchases.
Farms a little below the village, and bordering on the river, have risen
about eighty per cent. The Stuart farm, originally containing one
hundred and fifty acres, has been sold (or a considerable part of it).
Sixteenths {of an acre) were bought a few days ago at $566; they are
now selling readily for $1,000 and $1,200. Lots near the landing have
been selling at $30 per front foot, and these lots are one mile below the
village. We know of one individual making a purchase of a village lot
at $2,000, less than two weeks ago, which now is w'orth $6,000, or an
advance of three hundred per cent. Another who paid $9,000 for a
block of village lots, about the same time, for which he has been offered
$17,000 and refused. The amount of the sales for this week is about
$55,000. It has been thought that the cheering intelligence relative to
the passage of our ship canal bill in Oougri.'ss had caused this rise in
property in our village, what speaks loudly for our place is the great
amount of general business doing here at present. We noticed, the
other day, the erection of 20 to 30 new buildings in ilonroe ; and this in
the heart of winter. Monroe has a population now of aI>out three thou-
sand, and supports twenty-eight dry goods stores, fourteen groceries, two
hardware shops, three cabinet shops, five hotels, etc., etc." [The "drv-
goods stores" were probably general stores. Bd.J
There was certainly ' ' something doing ' ' in Monroe in the old '36 days !
The luap of the city published about the time noted, shows the growing
village of three thousand, expanding eastward until it included most of
the marsh lands, to the borders of Lake Eric, an area sufficient to pro-
vide for a population of three hundred thousand people! The map
shows that in the surveys for the ship canal a huge "basin" was in-
cluded, which would accommodate a fleet of vessels of no insignificant
proportions. Warehouses were projected to take care of the expected
commerce on the lake, and it was no doubt the intention to construct an
auxiliary town or suburb on the site of this paper city near the marsh,
when afterwards only a part of these dreams of opulence were realized.
There are probably three hundred thousand population, but they are
naturalized "Musqiiash. " Ship-building was a factor in the great wave
of prosperity, and several boats were built in the neighborhood of the
old docks. An item in the Sentinel of January 24, 1836, shows very
plainly the interest that prevailed in marine matters:
"Steambo.it 'Monroe'
"Wc arc glaii to see a disposition manifested by our worthy citizens
to retain the stock of this boat among them. It was supposed, a short
time ago, that it would be sold out to Buffalo and Detroit parties. Noth-
ing gives us greater satisfaction than to learn that Monroe is determined
to own something that shall benefit our flourishing village. We know
that this steamboat has, without the question of a doubt, been the
cause of the rise in the price of some of the property in our village. We
can give the names of many who took passage at Buffalo on board of the
'Monroe.' with the intention of going farther west, but who, on arriv-
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406 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
iiig in Monroe, have remained here and become citizens. Tliousands of
emigrants have taken passage on this boat at Buffalo for the west, and
landing at Monroe have thus had an opportunity to see our town and its
many natural advantages. Tliis, it will be conceded by all, is a decided
advantage to any place; and if a benefit, why should not our citizens
reap the harvest? The boat lias done a very large and profitable busi-
ness on the lake. The captain is popular, and justly so. It is learned
that at a reeent public meeting held in the village $15,000 has been sub-
scribed, and that there is an assurance of all the stock being taken here."
The same paper gives the land sales at Monroe in the year 1835, as
follows r
"The sales of Public Lands at the Land Oifice in this place for the
southern land district of Michigan, under the charge of Major Gershom
T. Bulkley, registrar, for the different quarters of the year 1835:
"First quarter $ 31,282.27
"Second quarter 247,116.90
'■Third quarter 279,890.35
"Fourth quarter 274,729.19
"Total $833,108.71
"Wlien it is recollected that this is the smallest land district in Michi-
gan and that the lands remaining unsold are, perhaps three-fourths less
than those of the western district, we venture the assertion that the sales
at Monroe have exceeded the others by fifty to seventy-five percent, and
probably the greatest sale that has ever occurred at any land oiBee in
the United States in one year."
Honorable Isaac P. Christianey, then a young man, was clerk in
Major Bulkley's land office, which was located in a small frame build-
ing then standing east of the site of the present court house.
The Monroe Sentinel continued its useful career until the latter part
of the year 1836, when Jt was sold to Abner Morton & Sons, who removed
the plant to Detroit, and in connection with The American Vineyard,
which the Morton's were publishing there, it was continued for a short
time.
The stirring village, however, was not left- destitute of a newspaper,
for the Monroe Journal had already been started by Abner Morton,
who, like his predecessor, had brought out to Monroe press and etiuip-
ment from the east. Mr. Morton was a born newspaper man and con-
ducted a bright and able journal. This, a short time afterwards, was
sold to E. J. Van Buren, who was induced by Pontiac friends to remove
the establishment to that village (another "Pontiac conspiracy"). Mr.
Morton, meanwhile, returned to Monroe and established the Monroe
Advocate, the publication of which he and his sons continued until 1839.
Monroe "Jouknal" anu "Commercial"
In that year, Levi S. Humphrey, Austin E. Wing, and Alpheus
Felch and their friends, purchased the property, changed the name to
Monroe Times and conducted it in the interests of their party, all of
them being active politicians, and the campaign of 1840 just opening,
they flung to the breeze the banner of "Woodbridge and Reform." Al-
pheus Felch contributed much of the editorial matter, though the late
C. C. Jackson was ostensible editor. The campaign being over, and the
Journal having served the purposes of its owners, the paper was bought
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 407
by Edward G. Morton & Co., for a little less than half the price paid
at its last transfer. Abner Slorton resumed his post as editor, and the old
title of the paper was restored to the Monroe Advocate and continued
under the same management and editorship until 1849, when the name
became the Monroe Commercial, under the sole control, management and
editorship of Edward G. Morton. Through the many transformations
and change of owners since 1849, its political principles remained un-
changed, and its vigorous and independent editor made for the paper a
name and reputation second to no other in Michigan .
Whig Organs
There were others who essayed to establish a footing in the journal-
istic field in Monroe. In 1836, one of these attempts was made by the
Whig element, and Mr. R. Hosmer was engaged by the owners. Dr.
H. Conant and Thos. G. Cole to edit the Monroe Gazelle. This paper
found existence a hard one in Monroe, for being politically on the
"wrong side" in Monroe, which was a Democratic stronghold, and party
lines being tightly drawn at that time, the essential inspiration, money,
was not forthcoming to support a party organ of the opposite faith.
This paper aferwards fell to the lot of Charles Lanman; a charming
writer in other fields than polities, but without the necessary experience
or qualifications for a country editor, the paper's life was prematurely
cut short by lack of funds and moral support.
The Whig's, however, were not discouraged, and in 1848, they estab-
lished another paper upon the ruins of the last, and called it the Monroe
Sentinel, but its career was even shorter than its predecessors; and the
publishers, W. H. Briggs & Co., "succumbed to the inevitable." The
Monroe Citizen was the name of another Monroe newspaper whose sands
of life soon ran out, and whose demise is neither remembered nor re-
gretted.
The Monroe "Commerci.\t,"
The Monroe Coinnifrcial as the successor of the Monroe Advocate,
under the control and editorial management of Edward G. Morton, was
continued as a Democratic paper, and its editor, a pronounced Jackson
Democrat, was regarded as one of the most forceful writers among Mich-
igan editors, and his fearless and uncompromising editorials are remem-
bered to this day. In 1856, however, Mr. Morton felt constrained to
accept the offer of a syndicate of local Republicans to purchase the prop-
erty. There was only one important consideration that caused any
hesitation in the matter, and that was it left Monroe county without a
Democratic journal. The Commercial entered upon the Fremont and
Dayton presidential campaign with Honorable Isaac P. Christianey as
chief editor, and Edwin Willitts as assistant. These gentlemen were
associated together as practicing lawyers, in Monroe, and proved them-
selves able political writers, while Mr. Willitts also occasionally showed
some adaptability in writing on local themes. Milo D, Hamilton became
identified with the paper in 1860, forming a business partnership with T,
Scott Clarke, under the name and style of Hamilton & Clarke, with
Hamilton as editor and manager. The enterprise of this firm during
their first year which was also the year of the election of Abraham Lin-
coln as President, and one pf great excitement, was prominently shown
in the success of the paper, which up to that time, was the best and
most prosperous journal yet established in Monroe.
At the outbreak of hostilities between the north and south in 1861.
Mr. Clarke sold his interest, and entered the army as lieutenant-colonel
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408 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
of the Sixth Regiment of Michigan Infantry. Mr. Hamilton was the
purchaser and continued as editor and manager until February, 1886.
He had had an extensive and varied experience in newspaper work, and
this experience he utilized to the best advantage in his Monroe paper and
succeeded in bringing it to the front of Republican papers of the state.
MON'ROE "DeMOCE.\t"
As stated, the sale of the Commercial in 1856, left the Democratic
county of Monroe, without a Democratic county paper, but it was not
to be supposed that the virile editor would be content outside of a news-
paper office, nor aside of the questions to be discussed from a Democratic
forum. The Northern Press was established by one, A. C. Saulsbury,
who was a greenbacker, with Mr, Morton in the editorial chair. This
was not a happy nor successful affiliation for Mr. Morton, and the paper
was finally sold to Mr, Babcock, a lawyer in Monroe, who thought he saw
a favorable field for a paper "neutral in politics and religion," as Mr.
Morton facetiously expressed it. Mr. Saulsbury went into the army, and
Mr, Morton went into journalism again, establishing the Monroe Monitor
thoroughly and consistently Democratic. Following this movement for
some time, Mr. Morton was in ill health, but continued his publication
for about twelve years, up to the time of his death in 1875. After the
settlement of Mr. Morton's estate, the property embraced in the Monroe
Sloiiitor was purchased by a stock company, composed of leading Demo-
crats of the county, and important improvements adopted, enlarged to
an eight page forty-eight column ])aper, and the name changed to tlic
Monroe Democrat. The newspaper appeared in March, 1880, with D. R.
Crampton, manager, and J. H. Kurz, secretary and treasurer. Under
this organization the paper became an important factor in the movement
of political and local affairs in Monroe county and its circulation greatly
increased, and its infiuence perceptibly felt, and while retaining its Demo-
cratic iiavor pursued a conservative course which gained for it the respect
of the community, not only, but a high position in the ranks of state
journalism. Such it remains to this day.
Unsuccessful Ventukes
Doctor Edward Dorseh, an eminent German physician, of Monroe in
1858, a gentleman of literary tastes and a profound student ot medicine
and philosophy, a writer of ability, established a weekly journal, under
the name of the Vnabhaengige; this venture met with disaster in the early
months of its existence, and was succeeded in 1859, by the Stoats Zci-
tung. Dr. Dorseh being the editor, and for a short period met with suc-
cess, but through defective management, encountered the usual snags
of newspaper life, when business methods are ignored, and fell by the
wayside.
In 1874, there sprang into existence the Monroe Iteiniser fathered by
two of Monroe's ambitious young men, who thought that they had dis-
covered unmistakable symptoms that the city demanded .something
rather livelier than the more conservative and dignified Democrat and
Commercial. The new local "personal and society" journal was cer-
tainly a great departure from the course of local journalism of the
town, and proved, for a time, the source of considerable amusement, con-
sternation and indignation. It treated local topics, "personals" and
society matters in an original, but not always a diplomatic style ; during
the year it was favored with a series of characteristic contributions by
an eccentric old resident under the title of "Old Days in Monroe," which
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 409
were sometimes humorous and always readable as backward glances at
people and "doins" half a century back, by "A spectator." The paper
gradually grew bold and caustic in its criticisms of people and events
until it reached that dangerous point where the libel line is drawn, and
a suit for damages for libelous utterances ensued, which proved its
undoing, and its face was seen no more.
The Monroe Ledger was another unsuccessful newspaper venture,
espousing the cause of the Greenback party in 1878, and conducted by
Geo. A. Cowan, a clever writer, who made a brave struggle for about a
year. One particularly unique feature of the mechanical outfit, was a
wooden press, hand-made, and very primitive, possessing a characteristic
which appeared to have been intended as a musical instrument combina-
tion, possibly to relieve the tedium of working the curiosity by the press-
man, who was a colored youth, as much curiosity as the press itself.
Musical features in combination with greenbaekisra did not seem to be
appreciated in the community, and before the close of the year, the enter-
prise "squeaked its last squeak."
In 1881, the Monroe Index was born, but as it was not an index to
much of anything, the ambitions of Fred B. Lee, its publisher, were
uot realized.
The Recohd-Commercial
The Record I'ublishing Company was inrorporatcd under the laws
of Michigan, April 6, lilOO. The first officers of the company were
("harlesllgen fritz, president; Dr. P. S. Root, vice-president; Carl Franke,
secretary; Wm. G. Gutman, treasurer. This organization continued
without change until 1902, when an election of officers resulted in the
choice of the following: C. E. Greening, president; secretary and treas-
urer, W. G. Gutman, the two offices having been consolidated. The
paper has from its beginning been under the management of Honorable
Carl Franke, until his election to the office oi Judge of Probate, when
P. J. Sill has acted as manager and editor, August 26, 1901. The
Record Publishing Company was organized for the object of publishing
a Republican newspaper, and to do general printing. In April, 1904,
the company purchased the holdings of D. T. Josephine, and Fred D.
Elmer, in the Monroe Oommrtcial, the oldest paper in the county, estab-
lished by Edward G. Morton, and consolidated the two papers under the
name of" the Hi-rord-Comini rcial. In September, 1904, the company pur-
chased the building on Bridge street, as a permanent home, and occupied
it for the first time on Thanksgiving Day of Ibat year. The present offi-
cers of llie corporation are: Dr. P. S. Root, president; L. G. Grassicy,
vice-president; W. G. Gutman, treasurer, and A. B. Bragdou, Jr., secre-
tary and manager. It is a bright and enlerprising paper, and covers the
county with a rorps ol' corie^'pondents. wiio furnish the news of their
localities iu a weekly lellcr. It is a loyal and aggressive county paper,
devoted fo the weifiiie of (he interests of its people as expressed in the
motto on its title page: "j\Ionroe first and always."
Outside op Monroe .
Outside (■.'■ Monroe, in Uie county, villages grew up io compete with
the shire town in Im^ine s and in the natural desiie to pationifie home
enterprise ..ud home talenl. To foster this ;pirit, the logji'a! course
was to establish a ''home paper," and very creditable local newspapers
were established in three or four of the more populous village;^.
In 1872, the EnlerpHse wns established in Dundee by John Cheever,
which before 1875 changed ownership three times, the last owner being
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4J0 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
W. W. Cook, who removed it to Leslie, Michigan. The Dundee Re-
porter was comtneneed in May, 1876, by H. Egabroad, and conducted a
very creditable little paper until 1882 when it was sold to James, E. C'arr,
and flourished apace under his management. The Dundee Ledger was
published for a short time, but finally consolidated with the Reporter.
Petersburg, the enterprising village in the western part of the county,
in Summerfield township, with a population of about 600, abio felt the
desirability of having its own organ, and in 1871, Henry P. Gage
launched the Avalanche, which was loyally supported and survived for
nearly two years, when the plant was destroyed by fire, and the paper
was not revived; hut in 1876 the River Raisin Clarion began sending
forth its stirring tones, under the manipulation of John W. Seeley ; its
suspension six months later was due entirely to that vexatious cause — a
chattel mortgage. A more satisfactory experience was the fortune of
the Petersburg Bulletin, founded in 1881 by 1. D. Boardman, who made
the paper a pronoimeed success. The Weekly Journal was begun in
1883, by 0. C. Bacon, and after a short tenure of life met the same fiery
fate as its predecessor, the Avalanche, but unlike it rose Phoenix-like
from its ashes, and sustained its existence for a year or two when it
was sold to E. A. Gilbert.
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CHAPTER XXXli
TTFE MEDICAL PROFESSION
The Cui'NTY Socil':ty — T)rs. Jomee'H Dazet, Luther Fabker, Robert G.
(!larke axd George Landon — The Country Doctor in Verse —
Drs. Et'iiRAiM Adams and Alfred I. Sawyer — James Q. Aoams
The history of medieiiie and medical practitioners in any coiiimunity
is iQore of a personal nature tlian that of aiiy other science and profes-
sion. This truth will be evident from the following relating to the sub-
ject as it applies to Monroe county.
The County Society
Tliu -Monroe County Medical Society was organized many years
ago, and includes in its membership nearly all the practicing physicians
in the county. Dr. Philander S. Root is president, and Dr. Charles
Tracy Soufhworth secretary, both of Monroe City. The following is
a. list of inemhers, and their place of residence: W. F. Acker, Monroe;
Ralph Brown, "Whiteford; B. M. Cooper, Carleton; E. S. Comwell, La
Salle ; E. V. Dussean, Erie ; C. L. Fought, Erie ; E. W. Kelley, Tem-
perance; H. E. Kelley, Ida; L. C. Knapp, Monroe; G. B. McCallum,
Monroe; H. L. Meek, Petersburg; J. H. McCall, Carleton; S. 0. New-
comer, Ida; 0. L. Parmalee, Ottawa Lake; J, T. Roach, Newport; G. W.
Richardson, Dundee; J. B. Haynes, Dundee; P. S. Root, Monroe; F.
Sissing, Monroe; C T. Soutiiworth, Jlonroe; A. E, Unger, Dundee;
A. B. Leamington. Ulayhee.
Dr, Jot^Ki'ii Dazet
It is believed that Dr. Dazet, a native of France, was the first physi-
cian to settle upon the River Raisin; he arrived here in the summer of
3784. and took up his residence in a house standing on the present site
of the Ilgenfritz homestead, and here he also had his office. He and his
wife lived alone, and were particular friends of the early Catholic priests,
Father Frechette and Father Rtcharde. The inhabitants at that time
consisted wholly of French and Indians, so that although he was an able,
successful practitioner, his list of patients here was limited. He re-
moved with his wife to Detroit in 1830, and there they both died within
a few years thereafter. An occasional peripatetic vendor of nostroms
called at the settlement, bnt found little encouragement to repeat their
visits.
Dr. Li'THER Parker
Dr. Luther Parker settled at the River Raisin soon after tlie War of
1812. and commenced practice alone until Dr, Conant arrived in 1820,
wlien a. partnership was formed, and the firm continued to practice in
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412 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
Monroe for several years. He had two sons, Samuel S. and Isaac ; the
former was for some time landlord of the Murphy House, still standing
on West Front street, and at one time practiced medicine.
Dr. Robert G. Clarke
Dr. Roliert G. Clarke was one of the first physicians of the place and
comTiiandi'd the respect of the community not only as a physician but
as a public spirited citizen. He was not a politician in any sense, and
sought no oHices, but discharged his duties as a private citizen in uphold-
ing the law, and used his influence in the selection of proper men to hold
munieipid and county offices.
The oui break of cholera in 1834 caused some alarm in the settlement,
and there were a few deaths which, with the fatalities of many cases in
Deti-oit, did not allay the fears that an epidemic was to decimate the
popniaiion. Happily, however, the doctors were able to check the rav-
ages of ilic disease, and tram|uility reigned onee more.
In the lists of names of former physicians' in Monroe, we find those of
Dr. Alden, Dr. William M. Smith, Dr. Silas R. Arnold, Dr. White, Dr.
Miirf.iii. and oiliers, who creditably practit^ed here lor longer or shorter
per(o<lN, but are now but faintly remembered. Of a later period there
were olliors, now passed away, whose names were household words. Dr.
Southworlh, Dr. West, Dr. Heath, Dr. A. I. Sawyer, Dr. Dorsch, Dr.
Shafer, Dr. Uhlendorf and others.
Dr. George Landon
None are more affectionately remembered than Dr. George Landon,
who came to Mouroe iu IS^U, and at once besan the practice of his pro-
fession; his admirable social <|ualities and cheei'lul manner in the sick
room, his broad charity and lively, sympathetic iialure gained for him
an extensive practiee lis avcU as a wide cirele of warm personal friends.
He was born in Sheffield, JMassaehusetIs, December 15, 1795, received bis
education at Pittsfield, and attending lectures later in New Haven; was
married in 1825, to Miss Elizabeth Abby Noble, daughter of Deodatiis
Noble, of Williamstown, Massachusetts, Four years after his coming to
Monroe, he entered into a partnership with Dr. William Smith under tlie
iirm name of Landon & Smith. This partnership continued for a period
of forty years, until the death of the latter. Upon the death of his for-
mer wife, in 1834, he married, on September 6, 1834, Miss Euphemia
M. McQueen, of Schenectady, New York. He was elected county treas-
urer on the Republican ticket in 1860, and was appointed by the gov-
ernor, examining surgeon of tlie board of enrollment for the first district
of Michigan. He died on March 4, 1874, after an illness of some months.
Dr Landon was in its true sense a Christian gentleman, an elder in the
First Presbyterian church for many years and universally respected.
His children were: Francis (Hall), George M., Mary (Dausard), Dr.
Henry B., Abbey and John E. ; three of these s
The t^ouNTRY Doctor in Veese
The late Dr. Henry Drummond, of Montreal, the happiest of delin-
eators of Canadian character in his delightful volume of dialect poems,
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 413
"TJie Habitant," gives us a characteristic picture of the good old coun-
try doctor, which will be recognized in the following extract :
"But Docteur Fiset, not moche fonne he get
Drivin' all over the whole contrce,
If de road she's bad, if de road she's good
Wen every t'ings drown on de springtam flood.
An' wotkin' for not'ing haf de taui, mebbe!"
"Let her rain or snow, all lie want to know.
Is jnst ecf any one's feelin' sick;
For Docteur Fiset's de ole fashion kin'
Doin' good was de only t'ing on hees niin':
So he got no use for de politi(|He. "
Dr. Ei'JiRAiM Adams
Tliat tells the story of many of tlie okl-tiiiie physicians. Dr. Adams
was one of these; as, in his olil mud-stained buckhoard, he drove far and
near in the settlement, with his capaeioua "saddle bags" well tilled with
simple remedies — and the more heroic sort, as well, ignoring weather
conditions, danger, and the almost certain circunisliiuce of little, if any
pay. He was the good angel of the poor, looked upon by all as the one
npoji whom any call might be made for any saerifice with the full assur-
ance that it wonld be unhesitatingly answered, night or day. hot or cold,
slorni or sunshine. It is said that this charitable though porhapw im-
provident "man of medicine" kept no books of aeeounis, no ri'cord of his
calls, preferring the exercise of that faith in the human race, which he
tnisted, in the inlcgi'ity and gralilndc of liiw |ijiliciils lo "pay if lliey
could, if they conld jiol. how can Ihcy be expei-teil lii?" Then- wct-e
those, however, who were incau enough (one blushes lo say it} f« evade
])ay!iieut of the good doctor, even Ihongb they wei'i' aliiitidaiilly idile to
meet his modest claims, if ever maile,
l>r. Epliraini Adams was bnni in Wyndham eounly. \'cfmo]il. in the
year 1800, of Puritan anceslry. Ills parenis liied when lie was htil six
vears ohl. leaving four other ehildivn in vei'v straigldeiied (rireiimslaiices.
Kphraim was boun<l out to a farmer, witl'i tiic nndi^rslandiiijr Ihat he
should receive » thorough education and college training. Tliis stipu-
lation was faithfully observed, and after altending the Ifariover Mi'dical
Colh'ge in New Hampshire, he entered Uartmonlh (.■ollcge, froai wliicb
institution he was graduated lleeeuiber V.\ 1822. lie married JIary
Paddock of Watertown, New York, and in 1824-. he came west and settled
on the Kiver Raisin, in the times that tried men's souls, and when Anier-
iciui pioneci's had just begun to s:ci>k hoirn's in the northwest. The In-
dian and the Canadian Frenchmen were bis iieigldmrs, and the trials
of the yonng eonple were not few noi' light. He cntereil at once upon
the practice of his profession, with no competition to speak of. His
kindness and liberality won him many paticJits and more friends; but
doctors were not considered as absolutely a necessity in the early days —
when the house-wife attended to ail the matters pertaining to the health
of the household.
Dr. Adams held several honorable public offices in the early days of
this county. He served as one of the judges of the county court in 1827,
with James J. Oodfroy and Riley Ingersoll as associate justices. He did
not court polities, but resumed his professional practice, wliicli he con-
tinued uninterruptedly until his death in Monroe in 1874. He appar-
ently had novel but liberal estimates of the duties of a physician; fore-
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414 HISTORY OF MOA'ROE COUNTY
most appeared to be the observance of the virtue of charity ; he gave as
much of his time and his skill to the wants of the poor without payment
as to the rich and well-to-do who employed him. He enjoyed the respect
and eontidence of the people in his long and arduous rides through the
newly settled country, and of the medical profession of the county,
which grew into a large and important fraternity here, the reputation
of the practitioners being far more than local. Dr. Adams' worth re-
ceived a fitting tribute at his death, from a professional contemporary,
who said:
"Dr. Adams more nearly tilled up Pope's estimate of an honcfi^t man
than almost any other that I ever knew. Besides being an honest man
he was one of the purest, most unprejudiced, and unselfish of men. ' '
The poor of the county certainly had great cause to mourn his death,
for he never waited for fair weather, nor good roads, nor moneyed remu-
neration when called by them.
James Q. Adams was a brother of the doctor's, who came to Monroe
at an early day as a practicing lawyer, having once been an associate of
Hon. Robert McClelland. He was a man of great public spirit, and iden-
tified with the many enterprises of the bustling young village; was the
projector and builder of the River Raisin and Lake Brie Railroad Com-
pany, president of the Bank of Monroe and La Plaisauce Bay Harbor
Company, a valuable public man in the community, and was the second
mayor after the establishment of the town, the first being George B,
Harleston. For several years he was the postmaster of Monroe, and was
continually active in the affairs of the village. He died in Monroe, May
6, 1874.
Dr. Alfked 1, S.\WYEii
was bom in Lyme township, Harm county, Ohio, October 31, 1828.
His parents, Stephen and Dorothy Sawyer came to this country from
England in 1819, settling near New Haven, Connecticut, thence remov-
ing to North Bend, on the Ohio River. Afterwards, with others from
Connecticut, they settled on the "Connecticut fire lands" known as the
"Western Reserve." He ae(|uired, under difficulties, an ordinary com-
mon school education, later taking up studies to fit him for a profession.
He was fortunate in securing a connection in 1852 with a firm of physi-
cians in Norwalk, Ohio, pursued his studies with close application,
attended lectures in Cleveland and in the spring of 1854 received the
degree of M. D., afterwards attending the medical department of the
New York University until 1857. After visiting several places in the
selection of a place in which to practice medicine, he came to Monroe in
May, 1857, where he decided to remain. He was made a Mason in Feb-
ruary, 1858, a Royal Arch Mason in 1859, a Royal and Select Mason
in 1863, and a Knight Templar in 1868. Elected Senior Warden of
Monroe Lodge No. 27 in 1863, and Worshipful Master in 1864, 1865,
1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1879, 1880, 1881, and 1887.
During this time he was presented by the Lodge with a beautiful
Past Master's Jewel. He was High Priest of River Raisin Chapter,
Royal Arch Masons, from 1867 to 1871, inclusive.
Was elected Grand Principal Sojourner of the Grand Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons of the State of Michigan in 1869.
Grand Captain of the Host in 1870. Grand Scribe in 1871, Grand
King in 1872, Deputy Grand High Priest in 1873, and Grand High
Priest in 1874.
Was made Chairman of a Committee to revise the Grand Constitution
of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Michigan in 1875, which
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 415
required four years for eoiiiplction, and is today the fniid anient a 1 law
of the order in Michigan.
Represented the Grand Chapter of Royal Areh Masons of Jlicliigaii
in the General Grand Chapter of the United States at Denver, Colorado,
in 1883.
Was elected Grand President of the Grand Council of High Priest-
hood in 1872, immediately after submitting a masterly report of the
history and chronology" of the order. This office he held for several
years.
Was elected Grand Principal Conductor of the work in the Grand
Council of Royal and Select Jlasons of Michigan in 1873,
Was iirst Eminent Commander of River Raisin t'omraajuirry Xo. 1!),
K. T., in 1868 and again iu 1886.
Was elected mayor of the city of Monroe in 1869, 1870 and 1878
and was a member of its school board for nine years.
But as his untiring zeal and faithful devotion has made him a
leader in political, educational, masonic and social circles, even so lie has
shone, if anything, with far more lirilliancy in his chosen pnifession,
and among his learned colleagues.
Dr. Sawyer was largely instrumental in the establishment of the Chair
of Homeopathy in the University of Michigan.
Jn 1889, at Minnetonka Beach, Minn., the members of the National
Institute of Homeopathy recognized the faithful labors of this untiring
physician, and unanimously elected him to the presidency of the oldest
ii;edical institution in America.
Dr. Sawyer married Sarah, daughter of Phillip R. and Nancy 1). Toll,
of Monroe, to wlioin were horn two children, Alfred and Jennie T. The
Doctor enjoyed an extensive practice in Monroe for a number of years,
dying at his home in ilonroe.
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CHAPTER XXXin
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
Catholepistemiao (University of Michigan) — University Biunches
— District Schoolh — First Monroe Union School— Private
Schools — Boys' and Young Men's Academy — Mokkoe Young
Ijadieh' Seminary — Rose Cottage Home School— " Crowning of
the May Queen,''
On the 26th day of August, 1817. just after tlic visit of the PiTsidt-iit.
James ]\Ioiiroe, he, with Governoi' Cass depai-ltd soutliward, and coii-
liiiuod (|uite a lengthy trip, the eircunistances and incidents of which.
ivitli the speeches and receptions afterwartls formed a volume, hand-
.somely printed and hound in leather which was sold iit the hookatores
and probably sent to the "faithful" iis a souvenir of his visit. Its tilh'
was "The President's Tour."
(,'ATJIOLEI'ISTEMIAI) (I'nIVERSITY of -MlCIIKlAN)
On this day. also, the legislature, then sitting at thi> eaiiitol in i)ctfoil.
passed the act to incorporate the Catholepistemiad. or' ruiversily of
Michigan. This institution, which was identical in h\K with the |>reseut
UniversitA', contained thirteen didaxiar, or professorships, whicli wei-e
most comprchensihle. These were to embrace (1) i-olh'iliinxli'ima, or
universal science, the inenmhent of this chair heinjr I'i'i'sidenf : (2t
aiilliyopofjlossica, or language, embracing all sciences relating thereto:
C-i) mathematics: (4) phj/stogiioslica or natavit[ history: ('>) plii/si'i-
Kophira, or natural philosophy; (6) astronouiy; (7) eheiiii.str.y; (H'l
iatrk'O, or medical sciences; (9) occonomia, or eeoiioiuieal science; (lOt
ethics; (11) potfmitnclka, or military sciences; (12) (lir<i<firn, or his-
loricai sciences: (IH) rnnocira, or intellectual sciences, all of which em-
bracing all tiie <-pixt''niifm or sciences i-elative to the minds of animals.
Inimnns, —to spiritual existence, to the Deity and to religion — the didac-
tor or professor, of this being vice president. The i>i'oi'cBsors were to
be appointed and commissioned by the Governor — each might hold more
tjian one chair, and their salaries were payable out of the public treas-
ur.y; the taxes being hiereased fifteen per cent for tliat ]>ni-posc. The
united faculty formed the corporation, with power, not only to regulate
its concerns, but to establish colleges, academies, schools, libraries, mu-
seums, atlienieunis, botanic gardens, laboratories anil other uaei'ul literar\*
and scientific institutions "consonant with and to the laws of the United
States of America and of Jlichigan," and to appoint teachers through-
out the counties, cities, towns, townships and other geographical divisions
of iliehigan. These subordinate instructors and instructrixcs were also
to be paid from the public treasury. On the same day. the salaries of
the professors were fixed at twelve dollars and a half, instructors twent.v-
five dollars. President twent.v-five and vice president eighteen dollars;
416
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 417
whether these iiiunifieent sums were for weekly, monthly, (quarterly or
yearly compensation is not stated. Appropriations were made at the
same time to pay all of these, and a further sum of one hundred and
eighty dollars to apply in lots and a building. A gift of two hundred
dollars more was made a few weeks later, towards inclosing the building.
Reverend John Jlonteitli and Reverend Gabriel Richard were appointed
to the various professorsliips. The former was a Presbyterian minister
and the latter was a Catholic priest, both fine scholars, exemplary men,
and greatly beloved in the community. Priinary schools or branches of
the university were established in Detroit, Jlonroe and Mackinaw, with
a classical academy and college in Detroit.
Thus vras launched, after most careful study and thought the first
school system of Michigan which with subsequent enactments and pro-
visions has ever been held in the highest esteem by scholars and men
eminent in the profession, as a most wise and admirable system. Gen-
eral Banks of Massachusetts, paid a handsome tribute to the school sys-
tem of Michigan in the course of his oration, delivered on the occasion
of the unveiling of the bronze statue to General Custer at West Point
, Military Academy in 1879. He used these words: "He, (General Cus-
ter) was fortunate in the enjoyment of the munificent and altogether
admirable educational advantages of Michigan, the first of the new, and
the rival of the oldest and richest states, in all that appertains to the
education of the people."
The growth in number of students on (he rolls of our great collefte,
the high standard of scholarship and the limitless influence for good
upon the nation, fully confirms the appropriate eulogiums which have
been pronounced by educators and statesmen, while the common schools,
and advanced grades of union schools in the state, enjoy a degree of
popular favor and support which well maintains the whole educational
scheme in our state. In the .judgment and wisdom of the organizei-a
of the university it was deemed expedient to first establish the branches,
provided for in the charter, while the erection of the university was in
progress.
University Branches
The branch at Monroe, occupied the old long yellow frame schoolhonse
then standing at the southwest corner of Macomb and Second streets, the
site now occupied by the Lincoln High School building. The first
instructor was Rev, Samuel Senter, and the next Prof. John Allen.
These branches, of course were intended to pursue coui-ses of studies
leading up to the requirements of the University — as primary schools.
But upon completion and opening of the University at Ann Arbor, these
branches were discontinued, and upon the establishment- of the high
schools in connection with the union schools, nothing was lacking to
take the students, thoroughly equipped into the very highest branches of
learning taught in the several departments of the University, so that
applicants provided with the diploma granted by the high schools are ad-
mitted to the university without examination.
Until the branches of the University of Michigan were abolished
and the educational systems consolidated at Ann Arbor, the Monroe
branch continued, the last principal being Hon. Ira Mayhew, who later
held the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He was a
noted educator in his day.
District Schools
The usual "district schools" such as were in vogue during the
earlier years of Monroe, were under the supervision and control of
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418
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
"district boards" not always qualified to fill such office, who employed
teachers and "regulated" matters generally. No. 4 school house at a
later date stood on the corner of Harrison and Fifth streets, a frame
building of one story painted white and having a belfry in which hung
the old bell that called together the forty or fifty scholars who attended.
Before the indulgence in the luxury of a bell, the custom was for
tile teacher to proclaim the hour for assembly by pounding on the door
frame of the outside door with the ruler which he used for corporal
punishment during the sessions — an employment for this instrument
of torture which was most obnoxious to the mischievous boys and an
object of terror to the refractory ones, especially when manipulated by
a teacher named Stuart, who was especially gifted in the manner of
wielding this formidable weapon.
First Moneoe Union School
The corner stone of the first union school in Blonroe was laid on
June 24, 1858, and must have been an event of very general interest.
First Union School in Monboe
e laid June £4, 1R58; partially destroyed by fire a
id rebuilt i
The following account is taken from the Monroe Commercial of the
next day :
"Notwithstanding the intense heat of the day, a large number of
the people of our city and vicinity turned out on Thursday the 24th
ult., to witness the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the new
Union School building, performed by the Ancient and Honorable Fra-
ternity of Free and .Accepted Masons. Although quite a common
occurrence the world over, this time honored privilege of the order, was,
we believe, never before exercised in this city, and the novelty of the
occasion undoubtedly drew many to witness it. The I. 0, of 0. F. fire-
men, civil authorities of the city, the clergy, and the various Masonic
bodies throughout the county having been invited to assist in the cele-
bration, a procession was formed on the public square, under the direc-
tions of the marshal in the following order:
"The Tecumseh Saxe Horn band.
"Germania Fire Co., No. 1.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 419
"Monroe Lodge No. 19, I. O. O. F.
"Eureka Lodge No. 107, F. & A. M. escorting M. "W. Wm. M. Fenton,
G. M., and other oiiieers of the Grand Lodge, accompanied by members
from Greenley Lodge, Adrian, Dundee, Petersburg and Monroe Lodges.
"The procession marched up Monroe street to Sixth street, and down
Sixth street to the building. The Grand Master having commanded
silence, the following deposits were made in the box.
"Constitution of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., State of Michigan.
"Transactions of tlie Grand Lodge for the past Masonic year.
"By-laws of Eureka Lodge, No. 107, F. & A. M., Monroe, Michigan.
"List of principal officers, United States Government.
"List of members of Congress.
"List of officers, Michigan State Government.
"List of officers, Monroe county.
"List of officers, Monroe city.
"Public Institutions, Monroe city, including secret societies, churches,
etc., etc.
" Copy of iH/oHroc Commercial.
"Copy Monroe JJiiabhaengige.
"Copy Monroe National Press.
"Box containing various gold, silver and copper coins of the day.
"The box having been fitted into its place and the cement spread,
the stone was lowered to its bed, and adjusted with the usual Masonic
ceremonies. After trying it with the plumb, square, and level, the
Grand Master pronounced the stone "well formed, true and trusty,"
and, pouring upon it "the corn of nourishment, the wine of refresh-
ment and the oil of joy," he invoked the blessings of heaven iipon the
building and its purposes. After a few appropriate remarks, he was
followed by Bev. Mr. Strong, of the Presbyterian church, Rev. Mr.
Carpenter, of the Episcopal church and Franklin Johnson, Esq., of
the School Board, in short but able addresses alluding to the important
subject of education, our common school system, the necessity of pre-
serving its non-sectarian character, the advantage of Union schools,
and other topics suitable to the occasion.
"The procession was then reformed and marched down Washington
street to the square when it disbanded.
"There was no formal public dinner, but the 'latch strings' of our
Masonic fellow citizens hung hospitably out for the entertainment of
their brethren and guests from abroad. Some forty, however, partook
of a capital dinner served up for them on very short notice by Jos.
Weier Esq., at his New Union hall.
"We were pleased to observe brethren from Adrian, Petersburg, and
Dundee in attendance.
"The afternoon passed off in pleasant festivity, and at 5 o'clock,
the brethren of Eureka lodge, headed by the band, escorted the Grand
Master to the M. S. R. R. junction where he took his departure for
Detroit. ' '
The school was formally opened in April 1859, Professor George
W. Perry having been chosen superintendent. Mr. Perry was from
the State of Massachusetts, but nearly every one of the superintendents,
since his administration have been graduates of the University of Michi-
gan, thus being in close touch and in full sympathy with the high
standards which have always been a marked characteristic of the Uni-
versity, has operated advantageously to the school. Many excellent
teachers have served as superintendents and principals and left upon
schools and town their influence for good, among these may be mentioned
Prof. J. McLouth, who since occupied the position of President of the
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420 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
North Dakota Agricultural College; Hon. Edwin Willits, formerly as-
sistant Secretary of Agriculture; the late Judge Eufus E, Phinney;
Prof. John A. Stewart, afterwards superintendent of schools in Bay
City and many others of whom honorable mention might be made.
The graduates from the high school are occupying positions of honor
and distinction throughout the nation. The bench and bar, the medical
profession, architects, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers, chem-
ists, mining and marine engineers, in the ranks of all the learned pro-
fessions will be found graduates and teachers from the Monroe High
School, while the Board of Regents of the University, the governing
body of that institution has among its members, another of its graduates.
High School op Today
The growth of Monroe in population has made necessary the erection
of a new and modern building to accommodate the large increase in the
number of students,, and to furnish adequate and sanitary conveniences.
&Ionkoe'k Present High School
according to twentieth century standards. This has been creditably
done by the Board of Education during 1910, The entire block bounded
by Cass, Third, Fourth and Harrison streets was purchased by the
board of education as school grounds. This was the site of Prof. E.
J. Boyd's Monroe Young Ladies' Seminary, which for many years held
a high position among the educational institutions of the country. Upon
this property a spacious, modern school biiilding has been erected, of
which a view js herewith given.
Monboe's Present High School
The tine structure, said to be among the most imposing and superbly
equipped public schools in the state is of reinforced concrete construction,
fire proof in every part and admirably lighted and perfectly ventilated.
The cost of the building with its furnishings was something over $125,000.
Near the site once stood in the street, one of the historic elms that
graced the town, which was of great size and symmetry, its branches
reaching far over the opposite sides of the street. An Indian legend of
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HISTOEY OF MONROE COUNTY 421
romantic interest attaches to this old tree — having been known in the
days of the Pottawataraies as the "Council Tree." It has now faded
away like the aborigines who gathered here.
Private Schools
A history of the schools of Monroe would he incomplete without an
allusion at least, to private juvenile schools, at which most of the
ambitious youth of the city in the "forties," both male and female,
were started on their "pursuit of knowledge," and there are many of the
same who today look back on those more or less halcyon days, with
fond recollection. First was the well known and loved institution kept
by Mrs. Ann Keizer, in her own residence, which stood upon the present
site of the beautiful home of ex-Mayor Boyez Dansard on Elm avenue.
It flourished from 1842 until about 1857. Mrs. Keizer was a native of
Ireland and a sister of AVilliam Qilmore, an old and highly esteemed
resident of Monroe who held many political offices, and in no ease were
his fellow citizens led to regret their choice. The benevolence of Mrs.
Keizer was proverbial — and her consideration for the poor well known —
tn one case she taught the child of poor parents for a compensation of
twenty-five cents per month.
Another school at which many of the boys of Monroe received their
first instruction was one conducted by a Mr. MacNab in the basement of
the old Episcopal church, which stood at the northwest corner of the
public square, having for its neighbor on the east, the River Raisin Bank
building and on the northwest the historic Protection No. 1 Engine
Companies' home.
Another well knoM^n instructor of Monroe youth was John Davis,
who for many years taught a parochial school in the parish of St.
Mary's in a brick building on Anderson street, which is now occupied
by the Detroit, Monroe & Toledo Electric Railway Company as train
dispatcher's office. Mr. Davis was a painstaking and conscientious
teacher, and his school was under the care and supervision of St. Mary's
church.
The first "high school" established was one opened in 1856 by "Will-
itts & Ingersoll as a private enterprise — and was quite liberally pat-
ronized. This was previous to the state system of public schools taking
in the course of higher branches of education.
Still another was "Rose Cottage Home School" conducted for a
few years by Miss M. A. Griswold, which stood on the site of B.
Predinburg's fine home, corner of Scott and First street. It was a
picturesque old building, completely embowered in the beautiful climb-
ing roses which abounded in Monroe, which suggested its name. This
school was devoted to the education of young girls and was patronized
by the best families.
The original beneficent scheme of the government of devoting a cer-
tain proportion of public lands to educational purposes was devised
in the early days of the republic. In 1785, the 16th section in each
township of six miles square was pledged to this purpose, and the
"tittle red school house" became an important factor in western life.
Boys' and Young Men's Ac.iDEMY
But the most creditable and important of any of the educational in-
stitutions of Monroe in the earlier years was the "Boys' and Young Men's
Academy." This was organized in 1851 or 1852 by a number of the lead-
ing men of Monroe and incorporated. Some of the principal men en-
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422 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
gaged in this movement were Hon. T. G. Cole, Charles Nohle, Daniel S.
Bacon, David A. Noble, Dr. George Landon, G. T. Buikley, Wm. H. Boyd
and others. The building known as the Macomb Street House, originally
buiit for, and for a long time used as a hotel was secured by the board of
managers, refitted and adapted to the uses of a boarding school. Prof.
Alfred Stebbins, an accomplished instructor from the eastern states, was
engaged as principal with a corps of teachers ; the school was extensively
advertised through circulars mailed quite generally through the middle
and eastern states as a "school for boys, exclusively, where they eould
enjoy all the comforts and privileges of home, and at the same time
be fitted for any of the colleges and universities of the United States."
This school took high rank, and a large number of students were en-
rolled from Chicago, Buffalo, Detroit and Monroe. A fine gymnasium,
fully equipped with all the apparatus then in vogue for physical exer-
cise and development was installed and this department of the institu-
tion placed under the direction of Prof. Carl C. Zens, then recently
arrived in Monroe from Germany, a man of cultivation and an athlete
of commanding presence. In the school were some of the brightest
young men of the day, and their names were found among the makers
of history in the nation and honored in all the walks of civil life and mili-
tary renown. It was here that General Geoi^e A. Custer was a student
and was educated for the U. S. West Point Military academy. Emi-
nent lawyers, judges, doctors, merchants and teachers received much
of the training which afterwards enabled them to occupy positions with
credit to themselves and to the old academy, which is now but a memory.
Monroe Young Ladies' Seminary
Contemporary with this school was the Monroe Young Ladies' Semi-
nary, also the result of the enterprising and high minded men of
Monroe, realizing the necessity of affording the girls of Monroe and
of the state and of the country generally ail the advantages of a school
of the very highest grade, where they might be fitted and qualified to
hold positions in the scientific, musical, literary or social sphere in the
world. Such schools were not, at that day, very numerous, and it was
not long before a large membership was found under the instruction
of able teachers and their moral and social training in the careful and
competent hands of Professor Erasmus J, Boyd and wife. It was, as
it should have been, a most important factor in the education of the
young women of Michigan and other states of the union. This school
was housed in the historic mansion, formerly owned by Stalham Wing,
and stood in the block facing on Cass street, where now the building
of the new Monroe High school rears its stately front.
No school for young ladies of that period ever gained so strong a
hold upon the affections and respect of its pupils as this seminary under
the management of Prof, and Mrs, Boyd and their successors. A numer-
ous alumni are scattered through the country from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, who, in 1883, took measures to erect in the Woodlawn Cemetery
at Monroe, where the mortal remains of the beloved teacher rest, a suit-
able monument to commemorate his good deeds and useful life and their
appreciation and love. This was accomplished quickly, and an appro-
priate granite monument erected, bearing this inscription:
"Reverend Erasmus J, Boyd was born No-
vember 1, 1814, died November 23, 1881.
For twenty-nine years, principal of the Mon-
roe Young Ladies' Seminary, He possessed
in a high degree, the affection and respect
of his pupils, who in loving remembrance have
erected this monument."
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 423
After the retirement of Prof, and Mrs. Boyd, the school continued
its career under different managers and principals. Prof, Hanna and
Prof. Richards, being of the number, but competition from eastern
schools, and other causes led to the final closing of the doors, greatly to
the regret of the people of Monroe.
"Rose Cottage" Home School
I am confident that there are very few reminiscences of the old school
days of Monroe, which are reviewed by the mothers and grandmothers
of Monroe, today, which are so fondly cherished as the associations
connected with that well loved "Rose Cottage Home School," the foster
mother of half the girls in Monroe. Such engrossing events as those
which occur in the girls' school life are never forgotten — they should
not be forgotten — they are the tender links which bind together the
past and present — Therefore the reprint of an account of a "May
Day" festival must bring to many a former pupil a happy memory.
The following is from a local print:
"Crowning of the BFay Queen" (18581
"The revival of this interesting and time-honored custom took place
on Tuesday last among the scholars of this school, on the beautiful
grounds surrounding Mrs. Manning's pleasant residence, — she having
most kindly tendered the use of the same. This little juvenile exhibition
was to have taken place at tlie proper period in the month of May, but
has necessarily been postponed until the present time, in consequence of
the unusual severity of the weather, and lateness of the season. The day
chosen proved to be one of the most propitious, and every incident con-
nected with it was equally satisfactory. A May-pole tastefully decorated
with choicest flowers was erected, and upon this hung the garland of
roses, composing the 'Queenly Diadem.' All the arrangements were
admirably adapted and well chosen. The election to the 'Throne of
Flora' — by right of merit — fell upon Miss Florence Consor, she stand-
ing pre-eminent, for accuracy in all the lessons of her various studies,
during a given time, embraced within the present term; in fact, being
perfect in the whole of them. All the scholars acquitted themselves to
perfection and evinced most conclusively the admirable tact, perfect
system and judicious and thorough training of their esteemed principal.
It would be difficult to determine who among the throng was most de-
lighted, scholars or teachers, friends or neighbors ! It is not too much
to say that it was one of the most entertaining, satisfactory and happy
gatherings, ever witnessed in this our well-beloved city."
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Monroe Churches
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CHAPTER XXXIV
RELIGIOUS HISTORY
The Catholic Priests op New Feance — First Protestant Preachers
— Coming of the Jesuits — Catholic SIission, the First Church —
Centennial Anniversary Celebrated — St. Mary's Church Dedi-
cated— Gabriel Richard, Priest and Congressman — History op
St. Mary's Church — St. John's Church — St. Michael's Church
St. Michael's Commandery — Knights op St. John- — St. Patrick's
Church op Exeter Township — St. Joseph's Church, Erie —
Protestant Churches op Monroe County— -First Presbyterian
Church of Monroe^Second Presbyterian Church — Church
Re-united — Church op 1846 Built — First Presbyterian Church
OP La Salle — Baisinville Congregational Church Disbanded —
St. Paul's Methodist Episcoi'al Church — Trinity Episcopal
Church — Trinity Lutheran Church — The First Baptist Church
OP Monroe — Evangelical Association of JIonroe County-— Young
People's Allunce Memorial (Evangelical) Church op Monroe
Christian Science Church — The Monroe County Bible Society
— The Altenheim (Old Polks' Home) — JIonroe Home for Blind
Babies and General Hospital.
The history of any eity or commonwealth cannot be written in its
entirety independent of, and separate from, the religious interests of
such community; the work of its founders and of its representative
men and of the religious current of their lives cannot he eliminated from
the annals of that community without destroying the structure. The
growth and development of sound religious sentiment certainly pre-
sents the most striking and interesting elements of the general solidity
of the institutions which mark its successful career; the absence of it
indicates instability and inevitable decadence.
We need not seek further for confirmation of this than in the history
of our own state and city. Contemporaneous with the settlements in
the wilderness of the northwest were the establishment of societies for
the founding and promotion of the Christian religion.
The exact number and names of churches in Monroe, including those
already individually noted, are as follows: First Presbyterian church,
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal, Trinity Episcopal, First Baptist, First
Evangelical, St. Mary's, St. Michael's, St. John's, Trinity Lutheran,
Zion Lutheran, Christian Science hall. Chamber of Commerce building.
Tub Catholic Priests of New Prance
We have seen, in our own pursuit of historical facts that the first
settlements upon the River Raisin were nearly contemporaneous with
those upon the great lakes and around Detroit, but that not earlier than
1784, is there any record of a church being permanently founded in
4-25
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426 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
this region, although visits by Jesuit priests are believed to have been
frequent as early as 1732. So far as sueeessful efforts by Protestants
to gain a foothold through the work of their missionaries or otherwise,
we find no records of any previous to 1808. The first settlers being
French, from the Roman Catholic strongholds of Quebec and Montreal,
it was natural that they should adhere to the religion of their people.
The Catholic church was supreme in this region, exercising a spiritual
and parental care over the small community.
First Protestant Peeachebs
Mr. C. M. Burton, of Detroit, has the journal of Eev. Mr. Case,
who came to Michigan as a Methodist itinerant preacher in 1806 remain-
ing for a few years in Detroit and extending his labors to the interior,
as far south as the River Rouge and the River Raisin and forming a
Methodist society at the latter place in 1810. The historical records,
however, show clearly that Rev. William Mitchell, a minister of the
Methodist church, who was on the Detroit circuit and received his appoint-
ment for that work, was the first Protestant minister to preach at Mon-
roe, then called Frenchtown; and that early in 1811 he organized a
Methodist Episcopal church here, consisting of some two dozen members.
The "War of 1812 breaking out soon after, the unprotected settlements
along the frontier suffered most severely, none more so than those upon
the River Raisin. The newly established church was broken up by reason
of many of the American families fleeing to Ohio and Kentucky for
safety from the ravages of the red men, who, unchecked, inaugurated a
war of plunder and extermination upon all whites.
Coming op the Jesuits
11 « » » Where onee the wigwam stood
Upon the river's banks of green
Where red'ning vines and tangled wood
Hemmed in the fair but dang'rous scene,"
Here was planted the first of the rude temples of religious worship
in Monroe county.
The general history of a community is inseparable from its religious
history. The sturdy growth of religious sentiment plays an important
part in moulding the movements and activities of a commonwealth ; this
is everywhere proven. Contemporaneous with the settlements in the
vast wilderness of the northwest territory were societies for the founda-
tion and promotion of the Christian religion ; by whatever name they
were called the objects and aims were the same with each ; subduing the
wilderness and the erection of the humble home, preceded but for a
brief period the building of the little chapel, the laying of the founda-
tion upon which to rest the substantial superstructure of prosperous
communities of law-abiding and order-loving citizens.
Catholic Mission, the Fikst Chukch
The first house for religious worship which was built in this county
was a rude log building erected on the Mominee farm upon the bank of
the River Raisin a modest little chapel in whose little belfry hung the
sweet toned bell that reminded the settlers of their religious duties,
and sounded the Angelus thrice daily, that wherever the hearers might
be, or whatever their occupation, bowed head and folded hands should
acknowledge the hour of devotion. At the dedication of this humble
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 427
chapel, wliieli occurreil Oetolier 15, 1788, the nearest bishop whose pon-
titieal residence was at Montreal in order to be present was obliged to
travel over this long and perilous route in a liircli canoe paddled by two
Indian guides. The journey was a long and dangerous one, but the
devoted and courageous pontiff, arrived safely, and conducted the cere-
monies amid the large assemblage of French, Indians, and half breeds.
The services hereafter wards, were irregularly administered by Father
Prichette and Father Burke, both earnest and devout missionaries, who
labored among the whites and Indians, very o£ten at great personal
peril, and always at great inconvenience.
This primitive chapel was located west of Monroe, on the river, about
two and a half miles, and stood there for three-quarters of a century or
more. Back of it, in an enclosure, was the parish cemetery some of
whose moss-grown stones still mark the last resting place of many of
Monroe county's pioneers and historical characters.
Centennial Annivers.\ry Celebrated
The centennial anniversary of the dedication of this, the first church
of any denomination in this county was held in Monroe on November
29, 1884, and was an occasion of great interest, which attracted a large
concourse of people from all parts of the state and county. At this time,
a monument, to commemorate the event was erected, and the ceremonies
were of an impressive character. Bishop Jno. W. Foley of Detroit, and
Bishop Camillus Maes of Kentucky, a former priest of Monroe, together
with a large assemblage of the Clergy of the State, to the number of
upwards of one hundred and fifty.
St. JI.vry's Ciicbch Dedicated, 1834.
The monument is a marble statne representing the Recording Angel,
holding a scroll, eight feet in height, standing upon a granite base suit-
ably inscribed ; the whole reaching a height of twenty feet The memorial
stands upoli the southeastern corner of the grounds surrounding St.
Mary's church. This edifice was dedicated with impressive ceremonies
in the year 1834 and succeeded the little log chapel which was destroyed
by fire. St. Mary's is the oldest parish of the Church in Michigan, except
Ancient Ste. Anne 's in the diocese of Detroit, and one of the most impor-
tant. The church edifice is a large rectangular building of pleasing
though plain architecture, supporting a moderately high tower and spire,
which encloses a large bell of sweet tone; here have officiated from time
to time the notable clergy of the church,
Gabkiel Rich.vrd, Priest and Congressman
Father Gabriel Richard of Detroit was always a welcome visitor to
Monroe, where, as well as in his own parish he won by his kind and
gentle manner as well as by his religious character, the love and respect
of the people. He enjoyed the distinction having been the first Catholic
priest if not the only one, who ever sat as a member of Congress; he was
elected a Territorial delegate from Michigan territory in 1823. Father
Richard was a most notable man in the early days; he arrived in 1798
from Quebec, a priest of the order of St. Sulpiee as resident pastor of the
Catholic church of St. Anne. His tali and impressive figure was familiar
to every one during the long period at which he filled his sacred mission.
He was a man not only of great and elegant learning, but of excellent
common sense, and withal a most public spirited citizen. He encouraged
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428
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
education in every way, not only by orgamziug schools for the immediate
training of his own people, but by favoring all other proper schemes for
general intelligence. He brought to the territory the first printing press
ever seen here, and in 1809 published a small folio ^axette called the
"Michigan Essay, or Impartial Observer." He was one of the first offi-
cers of the University and a professor in it. His acquaintance and friend-
ship were prized among Protestants as well as Catholics. His quaint
humor and shrewd sense, in no way weakened by his imperfect pronun-
ciation of English is even yet a pleasant memory with old Detroiters.
He died greatly lamented in Detroit in 1834 during the epidemic of
Asiatic cholera which carried off hundreds of citizens, and which was the
cause of many deaths in Monroe, of prominent people during that year.
The History op St. Mary's Church
The establishment of the Roman Catholic Church in Monroe county
was at a very early day, when the country on both sides of the River
Raisin was an unbroken wilderness, and the people few besides the copper
colored inhabitants of the dense woods. The hardships and privation
of the pioneer priests were very great, but endured with patience bom of
their religious zeal. From the records of old St. Anne's in Detroit, which
was the good mother of this brave little congregation at the Raisin,
are taken interesting facts and documents, establishing the date and cir-
cumstances of the first apphcation for a priest. The docum.ent is as
follows :
"First Assembly of Catholic Citizens at the River Baisin. Registered
in my o^ce in the Book No. 1, oh pages 388 and 28.9.
Peter Aiidfain, Clerk.
"Before me, and in presence of Mr. Prichette, priest and pastor of
the Parish of St. Anne, at Detroit, the undersigned here to-day assembled
to comply with the views of Monseigneur, the bishop, namely, that the
inhabitants of the new settlement on the River Raisin should agree for
choosing a convenient place for a parsonage, and to buy of Mr, Montigny
one acre and two rods of land, for the sura of four hundred francs, and
also one-half acre as a free gift from Joseph Hivon; said land to serve
as a monument to the Lord.
"On these one acre and a half and two rods shall be built the church,
the presbytery and enclosure, and the said land shall belong to the
pastor or his successors. Hoping that thus we will meet the views of
Monseigneur we will commence with the presbytery, which, with the help
of the Lord, will also serve as a chapel. We hope and wish that meanwhile
Parson Frichette will visit our settlement, the weather permitting, and
honor us with the holy sacraments, which we will beg to deserve, and wc
promise to him the customary tithes.
"In the expectation that Monseigneur will approve of our under-
taking, and that he will have us participate of the grace and indulgence,
we sign our name or mark to-day, the 15th of October, 1788.
".lean X Duhmil.
Louis X. Ledux..
T. Britier Benae.
Gabriel X Godfrey.
Louis Gallaine.
Joseph Bordeau.
— Degeme,
Louis X Suzor.
Baptiste X Couture.
Antoine X Campau.
Paple X Couture, fily.
Charles X Caul in e.
Francis X Labaux.
Rosella X Dronor.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 429
Bean X Jo Bcaii. Jean lais X Sourdilat.
Jaques X Prudone. Pierre X W. Lee.
Joseph X Bissouette. Joseph X Menor.
Pierre X Joneco. Jaques X Gagnier.
Bazil X Cousino, Joseph X Droiiillard.
Joseph X Pouget. Francis X Jeandroii.
Etienne X Jacob. Margaret X DeBaptisle.
Baptiste X Tailland, Baptiste X Lapoint.
Louis X Devaux. ' Jean Baptiste X Bissonette.
— Cicott. Crisophorn X St. Louis.
Ceyamani X Navai-. Jean X Dusaux.
Baptiste X Dronillard. Gabriel X Bissonette.
Charles D. Chabert. Alexis X Lovel."
Jean Louis X Lazoiness.
"St. Anthony was the name given to this church which was on the
Mominee farm, some two and one-half miles west of the present St.
Mary's church which succeeded it. This site was chosen as the most
central in the River Raisin settlement, and most convenient to be reached
by the inhabitants. The chapel served for a time as a place of worship
but was inconvenient and unsuitable for the purpose of a church, and
was after«-ards taken down, leaving much of the old remains for many
years, but which now have disappeared. The cemetery on the north
side of the church continued to be used for many years, and even
now this ancient burial place can be easily identified by some of the
broken stones and portions of decayed wooden crosses which once
marked the graves. Father Frichette was succeeded by the Rev. Father
Antoine Goulietz who remained until July, 1788, and was followed by
Rev, Edward Burke who devoted himself to the affairs of the parisli
for two years. By this time the people's circumstances had improved
materially so that the support of the church was partly assumed liy the'
congregation; they pledged themselves to give one ((uarter of all their
crops from their farms, and in addition each person a member, was to
deliver one cord of wood at the parsonage of the priest. Father Dilhet
followed Rev. Father Burke who was a very industrious worker. lie
induced the bishops of Baltimore and Quebec to visit Monroe during his
pastorate who confirmed a class of one hundred and ninety persons.
Repeated attempts were made to erect a church better suited to the needs
of the parish but failed. Rev. Father Gabriel Richard took charge of
the parish in 1805, and continued his priestly connection with the church
until 1827. He was an exceptionally able and devout man, possessing
splendid executive abilities and of great service in relieving his parish-
ioners of much of their sufferings from poverty and ill fortune. More
extended allusion has already been made to this great man.
The following priests were successively stationed in this parish.
Rev. Father Vincent Bradin, Rev. Father Smith, Rev. Father Cummings,
Rev. Father Carabin, Rev. Father McCasker, Father Toussaint Santillis,
Rev. Father Louis Gillet, a Redemptorist ; Rev. Father Smoulders, of the
same order ; Father Poirier and Father Francis were companion priests
from 1847 to 1855. Rev. Father Van Gepnip and Father Rievers suc-
ceeded in the latter year; Rev. Father Edward Joos, one of the most
devoted christians that this community ever knew came to the parish in
1857, and made his benign influence felt throughout the city ajid adja-
cent country. He was most active and energetic, and so well directed and
sagaciously prosecuted was his work, that his field of labor was soon
extending into all the surrounding country; schools and missions were
established, and in 1862 he undertook his greatest and noblest work
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 431
which today stands as a fitting monument to his name and character—
the establishment of St. Mary's academy, of which the church, the State
and the City of iionroe has great reason to be proud.
Rev. Father Soifers was another efficient and popular priest of St.
Maiy's — whose taste and judgment effected many improvements in the
grountls and buildings; he built a rectory in the rear of St. Mary's and
beautified the grounds; during the celebration of the centennial of the
foundation of St. Mary's his good taste and judgment was everywhere
remarked. Other parish churches in the city are St. Michael's and St.
John's; the latter was organized and the edifice buiit by its first priest,
Rev. Father Cauiillus ilaes, who was formerly assistant to Rev. Edward
Joos, and now Bisliop of Covington, Kentucky, a most accomplished
and cultivated man.
St. John's Church
The first eifort to organize a separate Catholic church for the English
speaking people was in 1834, which proved ineffectual, and in 1852 the
effort to accomplish the same purpose resulted in the purchase of lots
on the Navarre plat, in the third ward of the city, and laying a stone
foundation therefor ; but further effort was abandoned until 1872, when
Father Maes was appointed pastor. Through his exertions and instru-
mentality a more eligible lot was purchased on Jlonroe street. The corner
stone to the church was laid in 1874, and a spacious and creditable brick
church, 113 x 52, was completed and blessed in 1877. Father Maes, now
liisbop of Covington, Kentucky, having been appointed (much to the
regret of his congregation) secretary to Bishop Boi^s, retired therefrom
in 1878. A bell was added in 1879. The cost of the church, independent
of the parsonage was $10,000.
Bev. William A. Nevin succeeded Father Maes on the 15th of March,
1880, and remained in charge until July 21, 1881, when the Rev. P.
Leavy succeeded him.
The congregation under his charge numbered one hundred and twenty
families, with an average of five to a family, making a congregation ol'
six hundred. Father P. Leavy was highly esteemed, and in the discharge
of his pastoral duties in 1889 was exposed in visiting a case of smallpo.'s,
contracted the disease and died. He was succeeded by Father Kcllcy,
subsequently by Father Socklain, The present pastor is Rev. Wm.
Hennessy.
St. Michael's Church
St. Michael's church was organized in 1855 by Rev. Father Kronen-
berg, a Redemptorist priest. When a purchase was made of the George
B. Harleston property between Front street and the River Raisin. This,
in the day of its glory was one of the finest residences in Monroe, situated
in the large and most beautiful grounds. Colonel Harleston was a
hospitable entertainer and his mansion was designed to allow o£ this
pi-opensity being gratified on a large scale. One of the apartments on
the ground floor was sixty feet in length, and the house was surrounded
on ail sides by a spacious veranda. The Monroe county fair was held
on these premises in the year 1848. The church immediately began
changes and improvements to adapt it to the use of the congregation.
In 1867 a handsome brick edifice 145 x 60 feet was erected and in 1873
a two and a half story brick pastoral residence was completed. Previous
to 1863 Rev. Fathers Kronenberg, Majesky, Wehrle and Stengel were the
pastors; at this date Rev. Father Schmittdiet took charge and ser\-ed
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432 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
for many years. A parochial school is connected with the church which
has an attendance of more than one hundred and sixty.
In 1843 there were only three German Catholic families in the city of
Monroe. Their number gradually increased, so that in 1845 Rev. Peter
Kronenberg, of the congregation of the Moat Holy Redeemer, or Order
of Eedemptorists (C. S. S. R.), found fourteen families in the city, and
undertook to unite them and form a Catholic congregation. A committee
was chosen consisting of Joseph Sehaub, George Steiner, Anthony
Westerman, Andrew Kirschner, and Joseph Billman, who, within the
year, purchased the grounds of the present St. Michael's church, with
the exception of the corner lot, for the sum of $2,000. On the grounds
there was a private building, the present school house, although it has
been some considerably changed from the original structure. They
immediately paid five hundred dollars on the property, the balance i)aid
in installments during six years, and at once the house on the grounds
was, at an expense of five hundred dollars, converted into a church. On
the Feast of St. Michael, Archangel, September 29, 1845, the church was
blessed by the Very Reverend Father Bernard, provincial of the C S.
S. R., and the Rev. Peter Kronenberg appointed the first pastor. But
the Redemptorist Fathers in 1850 totally abandoned the Monroe mission.s,
and the Rev. John VanGepnip was sent by the bishop to succeed the
Rev. Peter Kronenberg in the care of St. Michael's congregation, con-
tinuing about four years, and fliough being a Hollander he spoke
German but imperfectly, still he was very much beloved by the people
under his charge. Rev, Father C. G. Bolte is the present pastor.
St. Michael's Commandeky, Kniqiits of St. John
St. Michael's Commandery No. 93, was organized in Monroe, on
jMarch 27, 1887, with twenty-one charter members, all of whom with the
exception of Milton B, Soleau were members of St. Michael's church
organization. At the present time members are admitted from all local
parishes. The first meeting, for organization was held in the office of
the late Andrew Baier, and a few months later, on September 29th, St.
Michael's Day, the commandery appeared, for the first time in its new
uniform, and attended service, in a body, at St. Michael's church. The
commandery holds the honor of being the senior commandery in the
First Regiment, Michigan Knights of St. John. The first officers of
the commandery were : Spiritual adviser. Rev. B. Schmittdiel ; president,
Jacob Martin; vice-president, John M. Hech; recording secretary, Ed.
M. Schreiber; financial secretary, Henry D. Hoffman; treasurer, Frank
J. Yaeger; serge an t-at-arms, George J. S. Schrauder; eapt, Andrew
Mitchell ; first lieutenant, William Heil ; second lieutenant, F. A. Daiber ;
color bearer, John Hoffmeister; trustees, Jno. A. Martin, Henry C
Schreiber, Milton B. Soleau, Erhardt Schrauder, Andrew Baier. Twenty-
five years have elapsed since the organization was effected and the com-
mandery has enjoyed a prosperous existence, and increased in numbers.
On April 15th the organization celebrated its 25th anniversary by a
banquet which was enjoyed by a fine comptiny of guests. Addresses
were made by Ex-Mayor Jacob Martin, Rev. Father Bolte, Dr. C. Len-
hard of Detroit, Rev. Father James Downey, Rev. Father M. J. Crowley
and C. Mullen of Monroe, E. J. Schueber of Bay City ; Hon. A. J. Weier
and others. The present corps of officers and roster of members are:
Spiritual adviser. Rev. Chas G. Bolte; captain, Andrew Mitehel; 1st
lieutenant, John A. Martin ; 2nd lieutenant, George J. Schroder, presi-
dent, John A. Kirschner; 1st vice-president, Walter L. Hoffman; 2nd
vice president, Ulrich Leib; recording secretary, Jos. M. Autian; finan-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 433
eia! secretary, Harry J. Steiner; treasurer, E. A. Yaeger; Al. B. Hiel,
Fred Schoepfer, J. A. Mitchell, S. W. Lauer, G. A. Rupp, A. K. Quell, I.
C. Godfrey, E. M. Cloonan, E. Foederer, Geo. C. Kirschner, J. J. Kiley,
Fred Lauer, Geo, M. Martin, Jos. Forth, Frank Quell, B. Roberts, P. S.
Sehaub, W. A. Sturn, J. Sehwingschegl, C. Verhoven, F. D, Weber,
A. J, Weier, F, J. "Yaeger, Jos. Fomer, Chas, Haehle, Jacob Martin, F.
A. Daiber, F. S. Sehrauder, John McGill.
It is a noteworthy fact that during the twenty-five years of its exist-
ence, the coramandery had not lost one active member from its ranks.
St, Patrick's CnURCfi op Exeter Township
The establishment of a Catholic church in the township of Exeter
had for its initial proceedings the public meeting' held in .1834, which
took place at the residence of James Donahoe, which was a log house
erected by this pioneer in the dense wilderness and amid the swamps and
marshes which there formed the geographical features of this township.
There were no roads, and the only means of intercourse between the
sparsely inhabited settlements on the water courses was by means of
trails and the foot paths which had been the Indians' highways and the
missionaries' traveled roads. The settlers were few and scattered, but
here the cross was raised and faithfully guarded. The mission thus
established under such adverse circumstances and amid such discourag-
ing environments was visited from time to time by priests.
St. Joseph's Church, ERit;
This church was one of the first established in the county. The first
settlers in Erie township were French Canadians, who like the families
who first settled on the River Raisin were Roman Catholics from Mon-
treal, Three Rivers and Quebec. Their first ebnrch, built in 1819, was
like their own domiciles constructed of logs, and served the purposes of
worship tiutil 1826, when a frame church was built by the liitle congre-
gation and used by them for nearly thirty years, when a more desirable
home was demanded, and by the exertions and liberality of the people of
Vienna, the village which is now known as Erie, a fine brick edifice
111 X 47 feet was erected and is now still in use. It is a fine structure
in which the people take much pride and where more than two hundred
families worship. The first priest who officiated at Erie was Rev. Father
Gabriel Richard, from St. Anne's church of Detroit and St. Mary's of
Monroe ; from 1825 until 1835 other priests from Monroe supplied the
place of regular pastors. After that date chiefiy from the parish of
St, Mary's at Monroe, services were held in the log cabins of the French
settlers; among the names of such we find those of Philip Flood, Peter
Burns, Michael Pagan, John Murphy, Luke Dunn and others,
A rude log building was the first chapel consecrated in 1847, where
Rev. Father Simons celebrated the first mass. In 1861 a brick church
40x80 feet in dimensions was built, which very comfortably accommo-
dated the increased membership in the parish and was regularly served
hv pastors from other churches, among whom was the highly esteemed
Eev. Father Ronayne, whose residence was at Stony Creek, and who
officiated also at two other stations, Mnyhee and Stony Creek. The fol-
lowing were the regular pastors: Rev. Joseph Bellamy. Rev. Stephen
iiadin. Rev. Theo. Carabin. Rev. J. Brayn, Rev. J. Terisonen, Rev. T.
Wurlop, Rev. H. Reviers, Rev. L. Lionnet, Rev. Charles Thomas.
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434 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Peotestant Churches op Monroe County
The first permanent Protestant ehurclj in the Territory of Michigan
was organized at Detroit in 1818 and was called the "First Protestant
Society." Its membership was made up of persons belonging to several
bodies of Christians and was not denominational in its form, so that
ministers of various denominations and opinions officiated at diiferent
periods. Its first settled pastor was Rev. John Monteith, he who first
preached at the River Raisin in 1816, and organized the First Presby-
terian church in Monroe in 1820. .
In his account of the establishment of permanent Protestant societies
in the new settlement at Monroe and at Detroit, Mr. Monteith says, m
letters addressed to the officers of the Presbyterian church: "I arrived
at Detroit, June 27, 1816. Scarcely any preaching m English had ever
been heard there before that date. I continued the English preacher o±
that place about five years. In the meantime I made frequent excursions
through the territory, particularly to River Raisin and Miami. My first
preaching at the River Raisin was on Friday morning at eight o clock,
July 12 1816, to a small hut very attentive auditory. They earnestly
begged for more frequent preaching. During the following years I
visited there and at Miami, several times spending several days at each
place I preached once and visited the families at Port Lawrence (now
Toledo). I wrote to the east for help and on the 7th of December, 1819,
Rev. Moses Hunter, a licensed preacher, arrived. He labored alternately
at Monroe and Fort Meigs (now Perrysburg) till the 7th of April, 1820.
The Lord prospered his labors in both places and churches were gathered
in about a month after he commenced. Just a month after his arrival I
went and labored with him for nine days."
First Presbyterian Church, Monroe
"On Sunday, January 9, 1820, we organized the First Presbyterian
church at Miami, Ohio, and ordained three elders and three deacons. On
the t«nth we returned to Monroe and visited the English families inthe
neighborhood. On the eleventh I preached at Downing s on the Kiver
Raisin, on the twelfth held a conference of those disposed to unite m
forming a church at Monroe, at Oliver Johnson's brick house (then
standing on the southwest corner of Front and Washington streets) ;
thirteenth, organized the First Presbyterian church of Monroe; articles
of belief were adopted, substantially such as are now used m our chureb,
except that nothing was admitted which would interfere with the ordi-
nary practices of the several evangelical denominations, for we received
not only Presbyterians, but Congregationalists, Methodists, Baptists and
Episcopalians. ,,-,., r. c
"On January 30, preached and administered the Lord s Supper tor
the first time in Monroe, there being twenty-two persons. On May 18,
1820 preached in the court house and admitted five persons to the church.
My last visit to Monroe previous to leaving the country was on the .15th
of May when thirty-five additional members united with the church.
The membership of the church in 1820 consisted of the following:
Joseph Farrington, Ferris Farrington, Isabella Mulholland, Mary More,
Samuel Egnew, George Alford, Priscilla Alford, Polly Wells, Eliza D.
Johnson, Samuel Felt, Anne Felt, Rebecca Bice, Ha^rvey Bhss, Nancy
Bliss, Mrs. Sanborne, Lucy Egnew, John Anderson, Elizabeth Anderson,
Wolcott Lawrence, Henry Disbrow, Sarah Disbrow and Mary M. btowell.
This is the record of the establishment of the First Presbyterian
church of Monroe (made up from the session records)^ f"^?!!^^ T^P'^'^T
tions of Rev John Monteith and Rev. Moses Hunter in 1816. Alter the
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436 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
departure of these men from the field occasional preaching was heard
from Rev, Messrs. Prontis, Ely, Prince, Goodman and Mcllvaine for a
few months at a time, when Rev. P. "W, Warriner Was installed the first
pastor by the Presbytery of Monroe ; under his ministry in the autumn
of 1831 there was a large accession to the church. April 5, 1833, H.
Conant and Robt. Clarke were elected members of the session. At this
time the members numbered one hundred and twenty-nine.
The pastors from that time until May, 1837, were Rev. John Beattie,
Rev. N. H. Conklin, Rev. Samuel Senter, Rev. J. W. Blythe. In that
year a division in the church took place and twenty-nine members with-
drew for the purpose of forming the Second Presbyterian church; this
society was organized and Rev. R. S. Crampton chosen pastor, and the
following elected elders : "Woleott Lawrence, Norman R. Haskell, William
H. Boyd and Isaac Lewis. The First church about this time elected
John Anderson and Charles Noble, eldere. In October, 1833, the church
sustained a serious loss by death of one of its elders, that learned,
judicious and distinguished man, Dr. Robert Clarke. In 1838 Rev. J. W.
Blythe was succeeded by Rev. Conway P. Wing, who was installed pastor
in June, 1839.
Church Reunited
In this year the two divisions of the church were reunited, the thirty-
nine members of the Second church being received back into the old con-
gregation, making the church a very strong one of 213 members, and
the session augmented by the election of William H. Boyd, Norman R.
Haskell and Stephen P. Morehouse, elders. Two years later Rev. Mr.
Wing was obliged by ill health to give up the pastorate, and in 1840 Mr.
R. W. Patterson filled the pulpit as stated supply for a few months. In
this year Colonel John Anderson, a pioneer of Monroe and a most highly
esteemed and valuable officer of the church, passed away at an advanced
age.
Rev. Nathaniel West was ordained pastor in 1842 ; he was a notable
man and a most forcible preacher. Services were that time held in the
court room of the old court house on the public square. Judge Lawrence,
another prominent man of Monroe and one of the elders of this church,
an able officer, died on April 29, 1843. Rev. William Paige was pastor
until the autumn of 1845, when Rev. William Southgate was called to
the pulpit. The church was increased by the addition of thirty -one per-
sons.
Church of 1846 Built
In 1846 the congregation decided to build a church edifice to accom-
modate the large and growing congregations ; on November of that year
the cornerstone of the present commodious and dignified structure was
laid with appropriate ceremonies. The brick used in this building were
manufactured by Mr. James Nelson, a member of the church, who
operated a brickyard near the city. They were all made by the primitive
hand process, the clay being prepared in the pit by oxen who trod it in
the pit to the proper consistency. The church was dedicated February
15, 1848, and from the records of the board of elders we take the follow-
ing notes of that impressive event: "The new church edifice of this
church was dedicated to the service of Almighty God this day. The ser-
mon was preached by Rev. .Robert Southgate, the pastor-elect, from
Haggai, second chapter and ninth verse : "The glory of the latter house
shall be greater than the former. ' Dedicatory prayer by Rev. E. Cheever,
of Tecumseh ; Reverend Messrs. E. Cheever, John Monteith and E. Curtis,
a committee from the Presbytery to attend the installation of the pastor.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 437
were present, and in the evening of same day the services were held."
It was a noteworthy incident that the charge to the people was by the
Rev. John Jlonteith, the minister who held the first Protestant services
and preached to the first Presbyterian congregation in Monroe in 1816.
The Presbyterians and Congregationalists at Raisinville having by
this time become numerous in that township, resolved to organize and
erect a church in their neighborhood, and there being a considerable
number who had united with the Monroe church and attended service
there now withdreiv and joined their neighbors in establishing a Con-
gregational church on the River Raisin a few miles west of Monroe, and
being known as the "Raisinville church."
Dr. Henry H. Northrop was the next pastor ; during his pastorate Dr.
Harry Conant, an intiuential member of the church and a useful mem-
ber of the session, died. Thomas Poster succeeded Mr. Northrup and
almost his first duty was to officiate at the funeral of Henry Disbrow, an
efficient, active and honored officer of the church. Following him Rev.
L. P. Le Doux served for about a year, when Rev. Addison K. Strong
was installed February, 1856. His pastorate was interrupted for some
months by his election to and acceptance of the chaplaincy of the Sev-
enth Michigan Infantry, Colonel Groavenor commanding. After his re-
tirement from this position he resumed his pastoral relations with his
church. In August, 1857, Hon. Daniel S. Bacon, Thomas Clarke and
Dr. George Lauden were ordained elders, at which time the number of
members was two hundred and eleven. On January 3, 1844, the request
was made by about twenty members for letters of dismissal for the pur-
pose of organizing a church in the township of La Salle, which was ap-
proved by the Presbytery of Monroe, and the church was then organized
with the following membership: John Bradford, Lewis Darrah, David
A. Hall, Catherine Hayes, Susan Hall, Bethice M. Kimball, Eleanor
Bradford, Charles Hall, Amea Bradford, Jeannet Withington, Eliza M.
Cornell, Eliza Cornell, John T. Gilbert, B. H. Gilbert, John D. Turner,
Samuel MulhoUand, Sarah Withington, Mary Withington and Praneis
Charter, Sr.
Prom 1861 to 1865 the active membership of the church was some-
what decreased by enlistments in the army and by the appointments to
commissioned officers' positions. In 1873 during the pastorate of Rev.
Dr. D. P. Putnam extensive alterations and improvements were made
in the church, including reseating, cathedral windows and elaborate
decorations. The total cost of this work was $14,000. A new organ
was afterwards installed at a cost of $2,500. In 1912 the towers on the
church and chapel were carried up several feet, and finished in accord-
ance with the original design, so that the congregation now worship
in one of the finest edifices of this denomination in tlie state.
The present pastor is Rev. William Clark Burns, D. D., who was
called to this church while pastor of the large church at Honeoye, New
York. Dr. Bums, while giving devoted service to this parish, also serves
the Presbyterian church at La Salle in this county some five miles dis-
tant from Monroe, preaching every Sunday afternoon to a good congre-
gation. He has been deeply interested in the Sunday schools of both
churches and in the maintenance of these and Christian Endeavor
societies. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred by Hillsdale
College, Michigan. The following is an authentic list of the names of
all the pastors of First Presbyterian church of Monroe: Rev. John Mon-
teith, 1816 ; Rev. Moses Hunter, 1820 ; Rev. P. W. Warriner, 1833 ; Rev.
R. G. Conklin, 1835 ; Rev. James Blytbe, 1837 ; Rev. Conway P. Wing,,
1839-40- Rev. D. 0. Morton, 1840; Rev. Nathaniel West, 1843; Rev. R.
W Patterson, 1842; Rev. Wm. Page, 1844; Rev. Robert Southgate, 1846-
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438 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
49; Rev. H. H. Northrup, 1851; Rev. Louis P. Ledoux, 1853-1855; Rev.
A. K, Strong, D. D., 1856-62; Rev. C. N. Mattoon, D. D., 1864-69- Rev.
W. "W. NeweD, 1869-71 ; Rev. D. P. Putnam, D. D., 1871-8.1 ; Rev. W. W.
Macomber, 1881; Rev. S. W. Pratt, 1882-89; Rev. L. B. Bissell, 1898-91;
Rev. A. W. Allen, 1901-05 ; Rev. William C. Burns, D. D., 1906.
Rev. L. B, Bissell occupied the pulpit as pastor of the church in
1898 and 1899. In 1900 Rev. A. W. Allen was called to the pastorate
and remained with the church until 1905, when he tendered his resig-
nation, which was accepted, and the pulpit was declared vacant. In
January, 1906, the session extended a call to Rev. William C. Burns,
D. D., pastor of the Congregational church of Honeoye, New York, and
he was duly installed as pastor in February, 1906. In 1873, during the
pastorate of Rev. Dr. Putnam the sum of $14,000.00 was expended in
making alterations and improvements in the church building, greatly to
the comfort and general appearance of the auditorium and in 1912 the
church was further improved.
First Presbyterian Church of La Salle
As stated, the First Presbyterian cliureh of La Salle was an offshoot
of the First Presbyterian church of Monroe. It was organized January
7, 1844, by Rev. Nathaniel West, pastor of the Monroe church, who was
designated by the Monroe Presbytery to perform this duty. The elders
chosen at this time were Lewis Darrah, David A, Hall and John T. Oil-
bert, with a board of trustees consisting of John Bradford, William
Dun lap, Norman Barnes and Francis Charter. The first pastor ordained
was Rev. William Buffett, who served until, upon his resignation, Rev.
R. R. Salter was called, who occupied the pulpit for several years and
who was a genial, hard-working and successful pastor. Otlier good men
who have been connected with the work in this church are Rev. E. P.
Tanner and Rev. Mr. Keller and others. At present Rev. W. C. Bums,
D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Monroe, fills the pulpit
■on Sunday afternoons and takes charge of the Sunday school, which is
in a flourishing condition. The society own, free of any incumbrance,
,a substantial and convenient brick church, erected several years ago.
Raisinville Congregational Church Disbanded
The Congregational church in Raisinville, owing to a division of senti-
ment on the subject of maintaining a church there, or joining with the
church at Maybee, was disbanded in 1895, a portion of the congregation
taking up a connection with the Maybee church and the remainder asso-
ciating themselves with other organizations. The church building and
lot reverted to the original owners. The Rev. Mr. Fastlake was the last
pastor of the church.
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church
The history of the Methodist church in Monroe is a long and honor-
able one. Dating back to the year 1808, it appears that not previous to
that time had there been any attempts to establish Protestantism in the
River Raisin valley. There were very few English families in this
vicinity, but many French, who were Roman Catholics from Quebec
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HISTOEY OF MONROE COUNTY 439
and Montreal, whose spiritual welfare was looked after by their own
church and priests. Mr. Burton of Detroit, the historian of Michigan,
has records to which reference has been made, showing that according
to the journal kept by Rev. Mr. Case, that clergyman came to Detroit
about 1806 as an itinerant preacher of the Methodist denomination. He
alludes to the formation of a church at the River Rouge and shortly after
he visited the River Raisin settlement and preached to the smaU con-
gregation assembled to hear him. The records of the church at Monroe
reveal the fact that Rev. William Mitchell of the western conference, who
was on the Detroit circuit and received his appointment from that body,
was the first Protestant minister to preach with any regularity at Mon-
roe (then called Frenchtown), whose labors along the scattered settle-
ments of the River Raisin resulted in the organization of a Methodist
Episcopal church in the year 1811, consisting of some two dozen mem-
bers. This being but a year before the breaking out of the war between
this country and England, but little progress was made, and the unpro-
tected settlers along the frontier were scattered far and wide, many re-
turning to their former homes in Ohio and Kentucky. The little church
at Monroe was broken up and for eight years or more following there
was no successful attempt made to resume the work there. In 1817
Rev. Joseph Mitchell took up the work, and as the refugees returned
and more were added to the American population, the church grew,
until in 1821 it was reorganized under the ministration of Rev. John
Kent, who was then traveling on the Detroit circuit from the Ohio con-
ference.
It is true that while this reorganisation was but a feeble one, it was
the beginning of a new era. The membership of the church at that time
consisted of the following persons; Samuel Choate, Elizabeth Choate,
Isaac R. Parker, Mary Parker, Lyman Harvey, Sarah Harvey. Mary
Harvey, Seth Choate, Ethel Choate, Abigail Choate and Philemer West —
eleven in all and from but three families. The meetings of this devoted
little band of Christians were held at the house of one of the members,
about two miles west of the village, and the preaching services were very
irregular. Rev. Piatt B. Money of the Ohio conference was here in
1821 and Reverends Alfred Bronson and Samuel Baker in 1823 and
1824-26. Rev. John A. Baughman and Rev. William Simmons followed
in 1824. The nest to preach in the Monroe church were Reverends
George W. Walker and J. Armstrong in 1827 and 1828. The Monroe
circuit embraced all the settlements in Michigan south and west of De-
troit, extending into Ohio. The country was practically a wilderness
and the "Black Swamp" of northern Ohio was a terror to adventurous
travelers. Strong nerves, undaunted zeal as well as physical strength,
were required to prosecute the arduous duties of the circuit rider. At
this time Rev. James W. Pinley was sent to this circuit, which extended
from Defiance, Ohio, to Tecumseh and Adrian. It also required faith
and courage among those who were upholding the cause in Monroe ; but
staunch and' capable men and women were indefatigable in their efforts.
It was in the year 1836 that the society decided to build a suitable church
for the growing membership. A lot was purchased on Monroe street,
south of the site of the present edifice, and active preparations made to
carry out the plans for a "meeting house," 60x40 feet, on the ground.
The building committee was authorized to "act in their discretion in
adopting the Grecian, Doric or Tuscan style of architecture." The
contractor failed to complete the building, forfeited his contract, and
the society was obliged to carry on the work to completion, which they
did successfully.
The fourth quarterly conference, H. Colclazer, presiding elder, was
held in Monroe. July 1, 1837, when important measures of great interest
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440 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
to the church and the eoiamuiiity were adopted. Among tlieni was a
resolution that Monroe be constituted a "station;" also that the newly
erected church be named "Wesley Chapel," which it bore until a con-
siderably later date, when it was changed to "St. Paul's M. E. church."
In 1842 the congregation felt the effects of the financial depression fol-
lowing the panic of 1837 and 1838. The mortgage of $2,500 maturing,
the society resolved to sell the church pews in order to raise the money
to liquidate this mortgage. This plan was successful and many citi-
zens, members of other denominations, became purchasers of pews.
Among these we find the well-known names of Hon. Robert McClelland,
James Armitage, Levi S. Humphry, Isacher Frost, George W. Strong,
E. G. Morton, Hiram Stone, Walter P. Clarke, Julius D. Morton, F. M.
Winans, B. H. Reynolds. The present beautiful and commodious brick
edifice standing on the corner of Monroe and Second streets was erected
, during the pastorate of Rev. James Venning, and its cost proved a
somewhat heavy burden upon the congregation, but none flinched. To
the loyalty and generous aid of Mr. Israel E, Ilgenfritz, more than to
any other man, who came to the rescue at a critical period, assuming
an indebtedness of more than $15,000, the society owes its freedom from
further financial difficulties. A very tasteful and substantial brick
parsonage has been added to the church property.
The names of the ministers who have preached in St. Paul's during
the hundred years of its existence are as follows : Rev. W. C. Mitchell,
1810-11; Rev. Ninian Holmes, 1811-12; Rev. Joseph Mitchell, 1817-19;
Rev. John P. Kent, 1820-21 ; Rev. Piatt B. Morey, 1821 ; Rev. Samuel
Baker, 1822 ; Rev. Alfred Bronson, 1822 ; Rev. D. 0. Plympton, 1824 ;
Rev. Elisha Patee, 1823-24 ; Rev. Jacob Hill, 1829 ; Rev. John A. Baugh-
man, 1825-26; Rev. J. W. Finley, 1830-31; Rev. E. H. Pileher and E. C.
Gavitt, 1832 and 1833; Revs. Southern and Gavitt, 1834; Rev. Robert
Triggs and Rev. M. G. Perziker, 1835-36 ; Rev. J. F. Davidson, 1836-
1838 ; Rev. A. M. Pitch, 1839 ; Rev. David Burns, 1840 ; Rev. Resin Sapp,
1841; Rev. James Shaw, 1842-43; Revs. H. Colclazer and George Taylor,
1844 and 1845 ; Rev. J. C. Harrison, 1846 ; Rev. J. R, Richards, 1847-48 ;
Rev. Elijah Crane, 1848; Rev. Harrison Morgan, 1849-51; Rev. T. C.
Gardner. 1851-1853; Rev. Seth Reed, 1853-55; Rev. F. W. May, 1855-56;
Rev. W. B, Bigelow, 1856-58; Rev, F. W. Warren, 1858-59; Rev. J. H.
Burnham, 1859-61 ; Rev. L. C. York, 1861-63 ; Rev. William Pox, 1863-
64 ; Rev. John Levington, 1864 ; Rev. W. H. Sheir, 1867-68 ; Rev. J. W.
Scott, 1869 ; Rev. James Venning, 1869-72 ; Rev. J. C. Worthy, 1872-75 ;
Rev. David Gassier, 1875-78; Rev. 0. J. Perrin, 1878-80; Rev. J. E.
Jacklin, 1880-82; Rev. C. M. Cobern, 1883-86; Rev. W. Washburn, 1886-
88 ; Rev. T. G. Potter, 1888-90 ; Rev. W. B. Pope, 1890-94 ; Rev. Joseph
Frazer, 1894-96; Rev. S. C. Eastman, 1896-98; Rev. W. J. Pulmer,
1898-01; Rev. W. B. Burnet, 1901-04; Rev. D. Stanley Shaw, 1904-07;
Rev. J. D. Whiteford, 1907-08; Rev. E. L. Moon, 1908-09; Rev. Howard
Goldie, 1909-12; Rev. W. H. Brown, 1912.
Trinity Episcopal Church
[By courtesy of Rev. Chas. O'Meara, Rector.]
In the month of September, 1831, whilst the state of Michigan was
still a territory, with a population of but a little more than 80,000 and
our city only a hamlet of a few hundred people, environed by the "mur-
muring waters of the Raisin, the lake and the forest primeval," con-
stantly visited by the dusky children of the woods, the Rev. M. Bury of
Detroit came on horseback from that town to visit this village. Find-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 441
ing a welcoino at the home of Mr. Dan B. Miller, who he had learned
was a member of the Episcopal ehureh, he sent word out amongst the
friends and acquaintances of his host that services in accordance with
the usages of the Episcopal church would he held in the court house.
His invitation was accepted hy a very respectable number of the in-
habitants, who assembled in attendance upon the first service of the
Episcopal church ever held in Monroe, The musical portion of the
devotions, if not beyond criticism, was hearty and sincere, while the
responses of the litany were necessarily weak for the reason that there
were to be found only three prayer books in the village. In November
of the same year Rev. Mr. Bury again visited Monroe and held services
in the court house, on which occasion he was accompanied by that promi-
nent churchman of Detroit, Hon. C C Trowbridge. At this service
the rite of baptism was celebrated for the first time by an Episcopal
clergyman ; two children were baptized, one of them the infant daughter
of General Murray of the British army, then living in Monroe, and
the other the child of Mr. Dan B. Miller, of the village, who was given
the name which afterwards became familiar in Detroit as a lawyer and
a banker, as well as a prominent one in the diocese of Michigan, viz.
Sidney D. Miller.
Early in the spring of 1832 Rev. Mr. Bury came and established
the parish of Trinity church, the first wardens being General Murray
and Seneca Allen. It was found necessary to install a permanent rec-
tor in the parish, to succeed Dr. Bury, who was no longer able to give
the necessary time; but only occasional visits were made by rectors
of other churches in neighboring parishes.
Rev. Mr. Freeman came from Ypsilanti, and others supplied the
pulpit until 1834, when in November of that year. Rev. Mr. O'Brien
became the first rector of the parish. He found but four communi-
cants and an empty treasury. With the characteristic bravery and in-
domitable pluck of the pioneer clergy of that day he was undismayed
by the discouraging outlook ; he grappled with the task before him.
It is an evidence not only of the devotion of that little band of
earnest men and women who were the founders of this parish, but also
of that broad-minded Christianity which shone in the ecclesiastical
spirit of the time, that among the handful of members of the Episcopal
church, generously assisted by their friends and neighbors of other
Protestant churches, the sum of about $1,500 was raised in Monroe.
Rev. Mf. O'Brien then visited Detroit and a few parishes of the east,
and was successful in securing contributions amounting to $1,300. In
March following the church building was commenced on a lot facing
the public square, at its northeast comer, which is now a portion of
the site of the Park Hotel. In October the church was completed, and
in May, 1834, the first convention of the diocese of Michigan was held
there, Right Rev. Charles P. Mcllvaine, bishop of Ohio, presiding, whose
first official address was made to this convention, the first in the state
over which a bishop presided. In 1842 Rev. Mr. O'Brien closed his
pioneer rectorship of eleven years, afterwards rector for twenty years
of Zion church, Pontiac, Michigan. Rev. Joseph S. Large was the next
rector of Trinity church, during whose connection with the society all
remaining incumbrance on the church was cleared. In accomplishing
this, the generous gift of Hon. Dan B. Miller, in cancelling a mortgage
upon the church held by him, amounting to $1,200, was not only
very welcome, but gratefully appreciated by the society. Rev. W. H,
Hunter succeeded Mr. Large as rector, who in turn was followed by
Rev. C. F. Lewis, and he in 1850 by Rev. Lyster, who remained till
1855, when Rev, Mr. Bramwell became rector for a short time. After
the latter 's resignation the parish was vacant; for a long time, during
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442 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
which Mr. Johnathan Stevens, a loyal member of the church aud its ves-
try, filled the posts personally of lay reader, warden, treasurer and sex-
ton, unfailingly performing the duties of reading the service, collecting
dues, paying bills and lighting fires.
Rev. Seth T. Carpenter and Rev. Thomas Green were the rectors in
1856-1864, and in 1864 the Rev. Henry Saiford was in charge of the
parish. In March, 1868, fire destroyed the parish church just after ex-
tensive repairs had been made, and the building and contents were
burned. In spite of this severe blow and the crippled condition of the
parish, the undaunted and loyal spirits of the church at onee started a
movement for the erection of a new building, and a lot was chosen at
the southwest corner of Monroe and Third streets, upon which was
built the present beautiful stone church building. This was completed
and opened for service in the fall of 1869. Members of all Protestant
churches gave liberally to assist the disaster-stricken church, and a most
worthy edifice was the result. In 1870 Kev. George Eastman took charge
of the parish, through whose indefatigable efEorts the remaining in-
debtedness was paid ofl? and the church was consecrated. Mr. Eastman
remained as rector until 1878, when the parish very reluctantly parted
with their devoted friend and leader. Rev. Ben T. Hutchins was the
next incumbent until 1881, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. H.
Osborne for four years. In 1885 there came to the parish that godly
and saintly man. Rev. D. R. Brooke. It is the lot of but few rectors to
have secured such a firm and loving hold, not only upon his church, but
upon the community in which he lived, as that which Rev. Mr. Brooke
held upon Monroe and Trinity church parish. After ten years' minis-
tration to this people, failing health and a delicate constitution admon-
ished him that lesser duties and a consideration of his physical limita-
tions must be counted with, and his resignation was inevitable. In 1895
Rev. John Evans succeeded Mr. Brooke, whose earnest and faithful
labors were instrumental in procuring the erection of a stone chapel
adjoining and harmonizing with the architectural design of the church.
Mr. Evans remained in charge of the parish for five years, when he
was succeeded by the present rector. Rev. Charles O'Meara, who came
here from the parish of Charlottestown in Prince Edward Island. The
church has a number of memorial windows, and the large and beautiful
ones placed in the east wall of the church last year by the family of
Gen. Joseph Rowe Smith and Maj. Henry Smith in memory of their,
notable ancestors are very beautiful ornaments of this church.- A very
attractive rectory stands to the west on the same lot, built also of stone,
and in architectural harmony with church and chapel, the three build-
ings forming a group on a prominent corner that may well be viewed
with pride by the people of the parish and of the city of Monroe.
Trinity Luther.\n Church
By Hon. Carl Franke
The first Gferman Lutheran settlers came to Monroe in 1828, having
immigrated from Baden and Bavaria, Germany. In 1844 there were
seventeen Lutheran families in the city and about sixteen families at
Sandy creek, who in 1833, united for the purpose of public services. At
their earnest solicitation. Rev. Schmid, of Ann Arbor, arranged to visit
the Lutherans of Monroe regularly every eight weeks and later every
six weeks to hold public services and administer the sacraments. The
first iservices were held in the Episcopal church. In 1834 a formal organi-
zation was effected, Mr. Simon Knab and Geoi^e Crownwett being
elected as deacons. Five years later the first log church was built
about four miles south of the city and called "Zoar church," The
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 443
society, anxious to have their own pastor, communieateil with Prof.
Winkler, of the German Lutheran Seminary at Columhus, Ohio, who
soon thereafter informed them of the arrival of several theological
candidates, among them GeorgiJ William Hattstaedt, of Langenzenn,
Bavaria. A unanimous call was sent to Rev. Hattstaedt, who accepted,
and Oct. 9th, 1844, was ordained and installed in his new field of labor,
by Rev. Sehmid. llMder the faithful administration of Rev. Hatts-
staedt the membership increased rapidly and in November of that year
a separate organization was effected in the city and one at Sandy
Creek, the three societies forming one parish, held a genera! election
Nov. 10th, of church officers, a board of deacons and trustees for each
society, and adopting a constitution, signed by fifty-six voting members.
All these years the church had no building of its own and meetings
were held in various places, but in 1848, the Lutherans, though poor,
decided to build, and in 1849 purchased three lots, corner Scott and
Third streets, the site of the present church. The building was to be
fifty by thirty feet, with a basement for a school-room. May 7th, '49,
the cornerstone was laid and so far finished that Christmas could be
celebrated in their own building, the basement being used as an audi-
torium for three years. In 1852 the church was completed and dedi-
cated. The Lutheran church believing that the fear of God is the
foundation of all Christian life and of good citizenship, has always
maintained parochial schools for the instruction of the young in relig-
ion as well as in secular knowledge. As the society had been unable to
employ a teacher, the pastor also taught school until 1853, when John
Salomon Simon was called and accepted. This gentleman died in Illi-
nois in 1912.
Like the clergy the teachers were also pledged upon the confessions
of the Lutheran church as contained in the Book of Concord. In 1854,
the constitution was revised and signed by forty voting members of whom
fifteen voted to celebrate the golden anniversary in 1894. These were
Jacob Flessa, John Caspar Gutmann, John LoefBer, John Lindoerfer,
Leonhardt Reisig, Konrad Mohr, Geo. Kronbaeh, Sr., Geo. Katz, Adam
Burek, Geo. Fiedler, Andrew Rummel, Frederick Probst, Frederick
Kronbaeh, Konrad Marten, and Liberrus Baumgarten, of whom only the
latter two are living today. During the next four years the membership
was increased by fifty families and it was necessary to enlarge the church
by a twenty-five foot addition. When the Civil war broke out some thirty
members of Trinity Lutheran responded to Lincoln's call to arms, many
of whom lost their lives in the cause of freedom.
In 1864 H. Lossner was called as second teacher and started his
class with seventy pupils. He was succeeded by C. F. Grams and later
by J. Heh Meyer, who since 1871 has faithfully and most successfully
taught the primary grades until this day. In 1881 Mr. Simon accepted
an urgent call to the Theological Preparatory Seminary at Springfield,
Illinois, and was succeeded successively by Julius Wernicke, G. Stem,
and W. Harbeck, the latter having served as teacher of the grammar
grades since 1884. The present brick schoolhouse was built in 1869,
with room for two classes of seven grades.
In 1883 the faithful pastor, advanced in years, began to fail in health
and after several months' illness, died March 22, 1884, and was laid
to rest March 25th, his funeral having been attended by his parish-
ioners and many citizens who had learned to love and respect the
pastor for his sterling qualities. During the vacancy. Rev. Trautmann,
of Adrian, took chaise of the church. A unanimous call was sent to Rev.
Carl Franke, of Jackson, who with the consent of his parish, accepted,
and on Aug 3, 1884 was duly installed. During his ministration many
important improvements were made and special attention given to the
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444 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
care and education of the young people oi' the church. To furnish them
a place for social gatherings and for wholesome entertainment "Library
Hall" was built, containing a large room for gymnasium and concerts,
a library and reading room, billiard room and kitchen.
In 1891, services in English were instituted for the beneiit of mem-
bers and to give the citizens of Monroe opportunity of becoming
acquainted with the doctrines and practices of the Lutheran church.
The membership had steadily increased and the old church, becoming
too small, a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for a new
church. In a short time $13,000 had been subscribed, and the society
decided to erect a brick building on the site of the old church. On May
8, 1893, the contract was awarded to Thomas Keegan, who began work
at once according to plans of Mr. Walker, of Cleveland, Ohio, and fin-
ished the church in the fall. The beautiful and inspiring building,
which is a credit to the builders and architecturally an ornament to
the city, was dedicated to the service of God on December 10, 1893.
On November 10, 1894, Trinity Lutheran celebrated her golden anni-
versary. Prof. Otto Hattstaedt, of Milwaukee, a son of the former
pastor, delivered the jubilee sermon, and Rev. G. Spiegel, president of
the synod for Michigan, gave an address in Engl^h.
Trinity Lutheran was also active in establishing Altenheim, or "Old
P''o!ks' Home" and it was largely due to the elforts of F. C. Deinzer, Chas.
B. Greening, and Rev, Carl Franke, that the Home was located at Monroe.
After a successful ministration of eleven years, Rev. Franke was
forced by a serious chronic throat trouble to resign his pastorate, much
to the regret of the parish. The Rev. Henry Frineke, of Lincoln,
Nebraska, accepted the call and is faithfully serving the parish at this
time.
Trinity Lutheran always was and is today a strong moral factor in
the life of the community and has been strong in religious life, in sup-
port of good government and promoting good citizenship. The last
report of Secretary Meyer, shows a membership of 155 voting members,
1010 souls all told, 772 communicants and 120 pupils in the parochial
school.
The First Baptist Church of Monroe
Previous to the year 1830, but one Baptist was known to reside in
' Monroe ; this was Mrs. Fannie Stoddard, who came here in that year
from the East, where she had been trained under the ministry of such
eminent men as Rev. B. T. Welch, D. D., and Dr. David Benedict. It
was not until 1831 that another member of this denomination arrived,
at which time. Deacon Samuel Stone of New York, settled in the little
suburb of Monroe called Waterloo, and began to look around them for
Baptist neighbors; they soon learned of Mrs. Stoddard, and these three
formed the nucleus of the First Baptist church, and prayerfully resolved
to assemble regularly; and "here to lift up in the name of God the
banner of Christ." These meetings were faithfully continued in the
home of Mrs. Stoddard, and it was here, also, that the first sermon ever
preached by a Baptist minister in Monroe was delivered, which was in
the winter of January, 1832. The growth of this infant church was very
slow, but its members were loyal and indefatigable in their work, aided
from time to time by Rev. B. B. Carpenter, and Rev. Bradbury Clay,
who preached as often as their home church duties permitted. The first
converts baptised were: Mr, D. Curtis and Mrs. Cynthia Skellinger on
February 16, 1834, and Mrs. Joel Kellinger and Mrs. Pauline Miller,
March 6, 1834, who were immersed in the waters of the River Raisin, by
Rev. Mr. Clay. In November, 1833, a formal organization of the Baptist
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY' 445
church took place in the old log courthouse, which had been the scene
of other organizations by religious bodies, the service being conducted
by Elders Powell, Randall, Lamb and Swift, and joined by Deacon
Samuel Stone, D. Whitcomb, Judson Wheeler, and their wives, a total
of eight members. From 18JS4, for several years, the church was without
a pastor, but prayer and covenant meetings were regularly sustained.
There were occasional supplies by Elders Bradbury Clay, Eber Car-
penter, Thomas Bodley, A. Tucker and Marvin Allen. In 1836 an effort
was made to provide a house of worship and a lot was purchased on the
corner of First and Scott streets; owing to lack of funds and the busi-
ness depression of 1837 following, this effort was unsuccessful and the
frame which had been erected was removed, and the lot sold.
In 1843 the first permanently settled pastor who resided in Monroe.
Rev. David Barrett was installed, and continued in the pastorate until
1846, during which many additions were made to the church, and its
affairs were prosperous. At this time the society leased the brick church
built by the Presbyterians at the corner of First and Cass streets, which
they occupied for a few years.
In the year 1847 there came a discouraging experience to the little
church, its numbers weakened and lack of interest in its welfare devel-
oped and after many vain attempts to maintain an organization under
the pastorate of Elder Parks the society decided to disband ; this resulted
in a scattering of the congregation among other denominations. Eight
years of inactivity followed during which no meetings were held except
when Rev. Marvin Allen, then publisher of the Michigan Ckristiaii
Herald, in Detroit, made occasional visits and preached to the faithful
few who stood by their colors. Mr, Allen was mainly instrumental in
reorganizing the church, which was effected in November, 1857, and
recognized as a regular Baptist church by the Ecclesiastical Council
February 26, 1858. Rev. Dr. Cornelius was chosen its first pastor and
served about seven months; during this time the first Baptist Sunday
school was organized and a church library established in the same year.
In 1859 Rev. W. R. Northrap of Ohio, settled in Monroe, and became
pastor of the church, at the same time supplying a number of out-
:stations ; his efforts were very successful in every line of church work, the
membership of the church was doubled, and a great many conversions
took place among the country out-stations. The membership of the
church at this time was fifty-six. After another period of indifference
and discouragement covering two years or more, the church took on a
new lease of life, principally owing to the energetic efforts and liberality
of Mr. Caleb Ives and his family who removed to Monroe from Detroit
in 1864. His encouragement and financial aid enabled the society to
■erect a pleasant and commodious house of worship on Washington street,
and to furnish it with all the comforts and elegancies of a modern church
of the first class including a fine organ. The pastors who served the
church from 1865 to 1870 were Rev. L. J. Huntley, Rev. J. Butterfleld,
Rev. S. J. Axtell.
In November 1870 Rev. T. M, Shanafelt succeeded to the pastorate,
under whrae ministrations the church enjoyed a degree of prosperity
and usefulness, not e(iualled by it up to this time. The main portion of
the church building was completed, and dedicated, a fine $1,200 pipe
organ installed, and a chorus choir established under the leadership of
Mr. N. W. Reynolds, which was regarded one of the best in the city. The
congregations were large, the social and religious life, excellent. Rev.
Mr. Shanafelt was exceedingly popular among all denominations as
well as with non-church-goers ; during his pastorate in this church the
degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater.
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446 IIISTOBY OF MONROE COUNTY
He was a man of superior education and charming personality, so that
when his resignation was offered to the church in 1874, it was with a
sense of personal loss that the church as well as the city considered
the rupture of ties such as it is the lot few pastors to have formed in a
community in so short a period.
Following Mr. Shanafelt, short pastorates were held by Reverends
F. N. Barlow, Taylor Crum, J. N. Lewis, David Moore, P. F. Ogden, J.
A. Davies, R. H. Covert, S. Batchelor, and Otis Wheeler.
During the pastorate of Rev. F. N. Barlow, the church passed through
an experience most disastrous and discouraging, occasioned by the
extraordinary and wide-spread financial depression of 1875-77, which
affected this church with great force, because its most liberal financial
supporter, Caleb Ives, was forced to succumb to the unwonted pressure,
and failed in his business enterprises — being largely interested in man-
ufacturing. He subsetjuently removed from the city, and the church was
a long time in recovering from the staggering blow which it had received.
Temporary supplies have kept the church together, and on December 1,
1912, Rev. Wesley F. Dissette, who had served as supply since October,
1911, moved to Monroe with his family and became regular pastor.
Evangelical Association of Monroe County, in 1880
The Evangelical Association began operations in this county about
fifty years ago, the tirst appointment being on Port creek, some ten
miles south of Flat Rock, where the first missionary in the state was
taken sick and died. The people being few in number and poor, the
first ministers were obliged to travel over a large scope of country and
preach almost daily. The circuit to which the work in this county
formerly belonged extended originally from Ann Arbor to the Maumee
river, and from Monroe to Adrian. On account of these circumstances
the society in the city of Monroe could not be properly supplied, and
finally disbanded, some joining the Methodist Episcopal church, and a
few still belong to the Evangelical church in other parts of the county,
and still others, having finished their course, have entered into rest.
The Evangelical church began work at Erie in 1856. The first mem-
bers were Mr. M. Blouch, Sr., and wife ; Mr. M. Blouch, Jr., and wife ;
Miss Nancy Elliot, Thomas Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Nehemiah Light, Rev,
R. Spots and wife. Rev, J. Borough and wife soon moved into the neigh-
borhood and visited with the church, and others.
In 1866 the society purchased the Free Will Baptist church, which
is located one mile south of the north line of the township, and one-half
mile east of the west line.
The society is in a healthy condition and maintains an interesting
Sunday-school, at the head of which stands Mr. Holser, as the able
superintendent. The school has an attendance of about eighty; church
members, forty-five.
The ministers who served the churches in Monroe county, from the
beginning up to the present time, are as follows : Rev. Altmore, R. Spots,
C. Munk, Shafer, D. Rosenberg, J. J. Kopp, L. George, J. Borough,
G. Doll, H. B. McBride, J. Paulin, S. Copley, J. H. Keeler, D. W. Shafer,
W. Remkie, A. A. Scheurer, C. S. Brown, S. Hilbert, J. A. Frye, D. P.
Rumberger, F. E. Erdman, S. Heininger, H. Spitle, J. Gramley, J. J,
Bernhard, J. W. Loose, B. P. Wade, F. Mueller, and the present pastor,
P. Scheurer. The presiding elders who have had the general supervision
of the work in the county, were C. Munk, D. Strawman, M. J. Miller, A.
Nicalai, E. Weiss, J. H. Keeler, and S. Copley, the latter serving seven
years in this capacity.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 447
Young People's Alliance Memorlil Evangelical Church
OF Monroe
This church was located as the Young People's Alliance Memorial
church of the Michigan conference. It was upon their request that
conference located the mission. Rev. W. L. Martin being sent to Mon-
roe as the first pastor, in 1905. During the month of June, 1905, two lots
were purchased on the corner of Third and Harrison streets, and the
District Tabernacle pitched there and services held for some days. On
July 1st, a society was organized with twenty-nine charter members,
and prayer meetings were held each week at the homes of the members,
as it was impossible to secure a suitable place to conduct public Sunday
In December a building was secured at 21 E. Front street and
meetings were held, in which a number were saved and united with
the church, and a Sunday-school was organized with forty-two members
and regular services were held then until the dedication of the new
church. During the winter a building committee was elected composed
of Kev. S. B. Hippard, president ; E. M. Loose, secretary ; Thoa. Hans-
berger, Jr., treasurer. In April, 1906, J. A. Lane, contractor of Caro,
Michigan, was engaged to supervise the work of erecting the new church.
The church built of cement blocks, was completed and dedicated in
September, 1906. This occassion was graced by the annual convention
of the Young People's Alliance of the state. Bishop S. C. Breyfogel was
present and officiated. The church is one of the prettiest and most
attractive in the city.
Rev. W. L. Martin's pastorate ended with his fifth year and he was
succeeded by Rev. E. E. Wood, who resigned after about six months
of service, the remainder of the year being supplied by Rev. C. D. Finch.
In June, 1911, the present pastor. Rev. Edwin G. Frye, took charge,
who proceeded to the erection of a very neat and well built parsonage
which stands next to the church. The growth in membership of the
church has been continuous and reached the higliest mark at the close
of the last conference year. The congregations are large and the church
prosperous.
Christun Science Church
Contributed by Miss Katherine Ilgenfntz
In the early part of the year 1899, Christian Science was brought to
the attention of a small group of persona in Monroe who began reading
the text-book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary
Baker Eddy and other Christian Science literature, at first independently
of one another and later they united in reading together the Lesson
Sermon from the Christian Science Quarterly. The first meetings were
held in private homes until September, 1900, when it was thought advis-
able to hold regular services on Sunday morning and Wednesday eve-
ning in a public hall for the benefit of others, who were becoming inter-
ested.
The society was organized and service was held in the rooms in the
Commercial building located on the corner of Macomb and Front streets
Sunday, September 30, 1900. The attendance increased in numbers and
interest and a Sunday school was organized.
In April, 1905, the society removed to the Triquet building, located
on Second street between Macomb and Washington streets, where they
remained until May of 1908, when the new Chamber of Commerce build-
ing was completed and the rooms on the second floor looking north and
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448 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
east on the river have provided a pleasant and commodious Christian
Science hall, well adapted to the needs ot the society up to the present
time.. The room is also used as a reading room open to the public two
afternoons in the week.
Two lectures on the subject of Christian Science have been given to
the public by members of the Board of Lectureship of the Mother church
in Boston, Massachusetts, under the auspices of the Monroe society.
The Monroe County Bible Society
was organized in Monroe in February, 1820, by the following citizens
of Monroe and immediate vicinity; Col. John Anderson, Dr. Harry
Conant, Col. Oliver Johnson, Jeremiah Lawrence, Thomas Wilson, David
Jacobs. Timothy E. Felt, Luther Smith, William Goodale, Henry Dis-
brow, Woleott Lawrence, Samuel Felt, Joseph Farrington, John Cook,
Charles Noble, William A. Town, and Luther Harvey. The first meeting
was held in the court room of the courthouse, which occupied the south-
west portion of the public square, slightly north of the present site of
the Presbyterian church. The membership fee was iixed at fifty cents,
which upon resolution of the society could be paid either in cash, wheat
or corn, as should best suit the convenience and means of members ; the
grain to be disposed of by the directors to the best advantage and the
proceeds deposited in the treasury of the society. Notwithstanding the
very great difficulties that surrounded this attempt to establish the work
of spreading the gospel among the scattered families of the settlements,
the lack of money to carry on such a work, the indifference of some, and
the opposition of others, such was the perseverance and ardor of the
founders, that the society prospered and became a most useful factor in
establishing a religious sentiment as a forerunner; and adjunct to the
formation of churches and Sunday-schools in the county.
The entire county was thoroughly canvassed and a copy of the Bible
was placed in every family that would receive it. Auxiliary societies
were organized in many of the townships and a systematic effort made
to provide every family with a copy either of the Bible or the New Testa-
ment. During the year 1835, two thousand three hundred and twenty ■
Bibles and Testaments were distributed by the society and its auxiliaries.
Hs work was vigorously extended into the adjoining counties of Wayne,
Washtenaw and Lenawee. Within five years, more than seven tliousand
Bibles and Testaments were distributed among the families in this
territory.
Notwi t list and ing the auspicious beginning of this society, which
'lacked but four years of the age of the great American Bible Society,
and its half a century of great usefulness and activity, it gradually
declined, until in 1890, it appears to have vanished altogether and no
evidence now remains of its existence.
The Ai.TENHEiM, (Old Folks' Home)
This admirable institution was established in Monroe some twenty
years ago by citizens connected with the Lutheran denomination in
Monroe, Adrian, Detroit and Wyandotte. The association was incorpo-
rated under the laws of Michigan and proceeded to select a site for its
permanent home. There was quite a spirited contest by members living
in the four towns represented to secure the location, in which J. H. Kurz,
P. C. Deinzer, Chas. E. Greening and others in Monroe were quite active
in efforts to liave this city designated for the site. Their efforts were
successful and the Northrup property on Monroe street, near the southern
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 449
city line was ehosen and piirchased and a convenient and commodious
structure was erected. The career of this beneficent institution has
been successful, under careful and judicious management and the beauti-
ful grounds antl substantial buildings are an added attraction of that
part of the city. At the annual meeting of the association in Monroe in
the spring of 1912; there were represented delegates from seventeen
Lutheran congregations. The reports of trustees and other officers
showed that the past year had been a prosperous one and that progress
had been made in all the lines along which the Home is working ; every-
thing is in splendid condition. With property valued at $27,442.95,
there is but a small incumbrance not exceeding $450.
The meeting was presided over by the president of the society. Rev.
E. Smukal, of Detroit. Among the statistics given by him were : Present
number of inmates, 51, of whom 25 are men and 26 women ; during the
year seven were admitted, while twelve were lost through death and for
other reasons.
Financial Secretary Adam Wagner, of Monroe, read his annual report
which showed aggregate receipts of $9,647.79 for the past year and
expenses of $9,205.84, leaving a balance of $241.95. The cash contribu-
tions from the congregations comprising the society amounted to $921.01.
While during the year the directors had been authorized to take
steps toward the erection of a commodious addition to the building, the
board had not exercised tliis authority, preferring to defer action until
such time as the need for enlargement becomes more urgent.
The election of officers resulted in the choice of the following;
President, Rev. R. Smukal, Detroit; Vice President, Fred C. Deinzer.
Monroe; Director, Julius Knak, Detroit.
Votes of thanks were extended to the Ladies' Aid Society of the
Altenheim, the Ladies' (.'ommittee, the physicians of Monroe for gratu-
itous services, and to Rev. II. Frincke, of Trinity Lutheran congregation,
for acting as spiritual advisor.
The Monroe Home foe Blind B.vbies a.nj) Gknekal Hosi'Itai.
This worthy institution was established in January, 1910, by the
society for the care and training of blind children, under the direction
of some of the charitable and benevolent people of Jlonroe, prominent
among whom were Hon. Carl Franke, judge of pi-obate; Miss Helen
Boehme, Mrs. W. N'aufililler, Miss Jenny T. Sawyer and others to whose
active efforts and painstaking interest is due the successful inauguration
and maintenance of this meritorious provision for the care and comfort
of unfortunates. It is national and unseetarian in its scope, being
affiliated with the International Sunshine Society of New York.
The Society in Michigan first took form in Monroe, when the pressing
need for an institution of this kind was made manifest by an incident
of unusual nature. Foundlings are not uncommon in every city, hut a
totally blind baby left to the tender mercies of strangers of unsympa-
thetic and unchristian impulses, is by no means of frequent occurrence,
but in this case the mute appeal to the best in human nature was met
by a warm response. The event in Monroe was the leaving upon the
doorstep of a warm-hearted family, of a two-weeks-old blind baby, which
aroused the entire community to a painfully realizing sense of the neces-
sity for some proper place for a helpless blind child deprived of its
natural home. The state makes no provision for blind children under
seven yeara of age. the period when they most need the careful nurture,
medical care and judicious education. This Monroe home is fortunate
in being specially equipped for receiving and caring for blind babies,
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450 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
and fostered by people of euitivated tastes and sympathetic natures, as
weli as by men of business judgment and ripe experience. Parents who
have blind, crippled, nervous and backward children will best realizfc
what a blessing such a home as this is, offering even better, because
expert care which is impossible in the family home.
The society in 1912 purchased the residence and grounds of Mrs.
Julius Weis on Vine and Fremont streets which are large, pieasant and
commodious, admirably adapted to the purpose and have fitted them up
in a most attractive manner, and equipped the patieuts' apartments and
the operating room with every comfort and surgical appliances neces-
sary to a perfectly appointed hospital and sanatorium. Receiving no
state iinanoial aid, the management is dependent upon the voluntary
contributions of the generous, humane and charitable public. The home
has the official endorsements of the State Board of Charities and Correc-
tion. The officers and trustees of the society are as follows; Hon. Carl
Pranke, president, judge of probate; Rev. Clias. O'Meara, vice-president,
rector Trinity church; Miss Helen Bo^hme, secretary; Miss Jenny T.
Sawyer, treasurer, secretary Civic Improvement Society ; J. S. McMillan,
superintendent, president McMillan Printing Company; B, Dansard,
Jr., cashier B. Dansard & Son's State Bank; George A. Amendt, presi-
dent Amendt Milling Company; Mrs. W. Van Miller, president Civi.i
Improvement Society; "Wilbur F. Ilgenfritz, president I. E, Ilgeiifrit/''
Sons Company.
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CHAPTER XXXV
THE MASONS AND ODD FELLOWS
Masonry in Michigan — Monroe's Piest Gkand Lodge — First Local
Lodge— First Worthy Master, Seneca Allen — Monroe Lodge No.
27 — Dundee Lodge No. 74 — Monroe Commandbry No. 5, No. 4 and
No. 19 — Royal Arch Masons — Lodges Outside the City — Honors
TO Monroe Masons — First Odd Fellows Lodge — Lincoln Lodge
No. 190, I. 0. 0. F.
The full and exact number of the secret societies of Jlouroe is made
up from the latest information received from the secretaries, up to the
time of the publication of this history : Monroe Comniandery of Knights
Templar; Monroe Lodge of F. & A. M. ; German Workingmen's Asso-
ciation; Knights of Pythias; Valentine Lodge No. 209, Knights of the
Maccabees ; Custer Tent No. 116, Catholic Knights and Ladies of Amer-
ica ; Lotus Lodge ; Degree of Honor ; German Aid Society ; Independent
Order of Odd Fellows; Monroe Lodge No. 19, German Beneficial Order;
Monroe Council No. 1266, Knights of Columbus; St. Michael's Com-
mandery No. 93 ; Knights of St. John, Monroe Camp No. 8066 ; Modem
Woodmen of America; Royal Arch Masons, River Raisin Chapter No,
22 ; Order of Eastern Star, Monroe Chapter No. 266 ; Pythian Sisters,
Monroe Temple No. 85; Ladies of the Maccabees, Floral City Hive No,
519; Ladies of the Maccabees, 0. T. W. Lotus Monroe Hive No. 60;
Ladies Catholic Benetit Association, Monroe Branch No. 587 ; all of
these have well appointed lodge rooms either independently, or jointly
with others.
Masonry in Michigan,*
Organized masonry has a history in Michigan dating back to the year
1764. Historical material accumulated around the mystic temple of the
order, unfortunately not in a consecutive record, nor preserved in per-
manent forms, but it has existed in fragmentary papers and documents,
which has necessitated, on the part of the historian, no little research and
persistent labor to rescue the mass of material from permanent loss, and
to prepare it in a form to establish facts, dates and historical landmarks
in the true order of masonic chronology.
We have no written history of masonry in Michigan prior to 1826 —
and this record, covering the period from 1826 to 1844, is fragmentary,
and much of it, not susceptible of verification. Indeed, it is not expected
that any history of the early masonic proceedings and events, however
complete and accurate, will change in any important particular the
present masonic situation, but it must be peculiarly gratifying to those
interested in this ancient order, to know something of the circumstances
of their beginnings.
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452 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
A man ignorant of his parentage, or of the claim of title by which ho
holds valuable property may not be greatly benefitted, nor need he hv
much disturbed if he does or does not possess the minutlEe of knowledge
concerning it, but it is hardly conceivable that he will fail to be interested
in some degree in his genealogy and in the right to hold his possessions
undisturbed. Equally so, it must be conceded that resident iklasons
should feel interested in knowing the time and the circuinstaneea of the
first planting of masonry in our Commonwealth, and by what authority.
"We must go back to the year 1753 for this. In that year Hon. John
Proby in the Kingdom of Ireland was the Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of England. On June 9th of that year, Grand Master Proby
appointed and commissioned George Harrison to be provincial Grand
Ma-ster of the Province of New York. This appointment or "deputation"
as it was then termed, was announced to the New York brethren, assem-
bled in Grand Lodge on December 26, 1753.
Grand Master Harrison of New York issued a warrant on April 27,
1764, to Zion Lodge No. 1 of Detroit, by which name it was known antl
registered as No. 448, on the registry of England. This original warrant
was afterwards found and is now preserved in the archives of the Grand
Lodge of New York. The records of the Grand Lodge of New York of
September 5, 1821, show that a warrant was granted to Detroit Lodge
No. 337, March 7, 1822, a charter was granted to Oakland Lodge No.
343 of Pontiac, Michigan. September 1, 1824, a warrant was granted to
Menominee No. 374 of Green Bay, "Wisconsin Territory. On December
1, 1824, the same records furnish the following item: To Seneca Allen,
and others to hold a lodge in the town of Jlonroe, Monroe county, Terri-
tory of Michigan, by the name of Monroe Lodge.
Michigan's Fikst Gr.\nd Luixie
The movement which resulted in the formation of our first Grand
Lodge was initiated by Zion Lodge No. 1 of Detroit (then No. 3) at a
regular meeting held August 1, 1825, and soon thereafter, a call was
made for a convention by a joint committee from 2ion No. 1 and Detroit
No. 337. This convention met in Detroit on June 24, 1826. The
lodges represented were Zion by three delegates; Detroit, two dele-
gates; Menominee, two proxies, and Monroe, one delegate, who was
Colonel J. Anderson, all chartered by the Grand Lodge of New York as
previously stated. June 11, 1827, at a meeting of the Grand Lodge of
New York, a resolution was introduced, recognizing it as a Grand Lodge,
First Loc.m. Lodge
It is established by the records that the first Masonic lodge organized
in Monroe, was Monroe Lodge No. 375, the officers of which were publicly
installed on St. John the Baptist's day, June 24, 1825. The only public
hall in which these exercises could be held, in the village, at that time,
was the court room of the first court house built in the county, after its
organization in 1817. This was a building constructed of hewn logs
clapboarded and painted yellow, which stood on the southwestern quarter
of the public square, near the present site of the First Presbyterian
church. On the celebration of this public service the veteran Reverend
Noah Wells, a Presbyterian minister of Monroe, officiated as chaplain.
He was at the time of his death the oldest living minister of that denom-
ination in America, at the age of nearly one hundred years. In this
meeting were many of the prominent men of the city and county, which
gave the old lodge a high standing for its personnel, such as Colonel
John Anderson, Hiram Brown, Dr. Conant, Charles Noble, A, C.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 453
Chapmau, Isaac Lewis and others. A lianquet was served aiter the
installation, at the Exchange Hotel, by its proprietor Mr. Chapman.
The Exchange at that time was a noted hotel in Michigan — which was
destroyed by fire, in 1852. The following officers were duly installed:
Seneca Allea, W. M. ; Hiram Brown, S. W. ; Harry Conant, J. "VV. ; John
Anderson, treasurer; Chas. Noble, secretary.
First "Worthy Master, Seneca Allen
Seneca •Allen left several children. A son, Harmon Allen, was a
member of Milan Lodge No. 323, in 1891. He was a surveyor from 1827
until his death. He surveyed and platted the City of Toledo, Ohio, in
1831, also the villages of Trenton and Flat Roek in Wayne county,
Michigan. He was for some years clerk of the Territorial Council of
Michigan. In 1826, Mr. Allen was elected Senior Grand Warden of the
Grand Lodge and reelected to the same offiee in 1827.
On the 17th of September, 184i, pursuant to a resolution of the
first Grand Lodge of Michigan, acting under new charters received
from the Grand Lo<lge of New York for the subordinate lodges in
Michigan Terrifor,'^', was organized the present Grand Lodge of Michigan,
re-electing General Lewis Cass Grand Master; the Grand Lodge of New
York having refused to rect^nize the organization under and by virtue
of what she pleased to denominate ''The defunct lodges of Michigan
Territory. ' '
3I0NEOE Lodge No. 27
On the oth of July, 1848, Monroe Lodge. No. 27, was organized by
authority of a dispensation issued by Judge E. Smith Lee, Grand Master
to Brother Isaac Lewis, Worshipful Master; Brother John Bureh,
Senior Warden ; Brother George Kirkland, Junior Warden, and Brothers
Walter P. Clark, George W. Crispin, Thomas Leonard, James Q. Adams,
Jefferson G. Thurber, Daniel B. Miller and Riley Ingersoll.
After opening they held an election with the following result, viz. :
Brother Isaac Lewis, Worshipful Master; Brother John Burch, Senior
Warden; Brother George Kirkland, Junior Warden; Brother Daniel B.
Miller, Treasurer; Brother Jefferson G. Tlmrber, Secretary; Brother
Geo. W. Crispin, Tyler.
They convened in what was then kno^vn as "Odd Fellows Hall."
but stibse(|uently, and for many years, Zion church (Lutheran), south-
west comer of First and Cass streets, which has since given way to
Zion church school building. At this meeting Jefferson G. Thurber
was appointed to draft a set of by-laws for the lodge, and Brothers Isaac
Lewis, John Bureh and George Kirkland to negotiate for a suitable hall
in which to meet.
The first applicant for membership in Monroe Lodge No. 27 was
Walter W. Prentice on July 12, 1848. At the same time Past Master
H, W. Campbell was admitted by demit. The corner stone of the first
Union school was laid by this lodge in 1858, which was the first ceremony
of this kind in Monroe.
Eureka Lodge No. 107 was organized in 1858, and was granted a
charter at a meeting of the Grand Lodge January 14, 1858. Its first lodge
room was in the Main Singer building, southwest corner of First and
Monroe streets. On January 12, 1892, it surrendered its charter and
consolidated with Monroe Lodge No. 27.
The several homes of No. 27 have been as follows: Its first home or
lodge room was at the corner of First and 'Cass streets where it remained
until January, 1853, when the lodge moved to a building upon the site
now occupied by the Enteman building at the head of Washington street.
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454 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
The next move was to a halL in the S. B. Wakefield building now occupied
by J. L. Hof man ; this was in April, 1859, The lodge remained in this
building until January, 1873, when they moved into the Sill building, now
occupied by the Blonroe laundry. This was occupied by Eureka Lodge
No. 107, the Monroe Lodge renting jointly with them; the next and
final move was to the present quarters, which occurred in April, 1881.
Monroe Lodge, by reason of the prestige of her early organization,
long and honorable career, the high character of her membership and the
excellent record which she has maintained for upholding all the virtues
for which masonry stands, has been the rallying body for (he craft in
the county ; so it has been active and judicious in its fraternal capacity
in organizing other lodges in the city and county, and establishing a
standard that has drawn to the order many of the moat substantial and
worthy men of the community.
The first death in the ranks of Monroe Lodge, was that of Dan B.
Miller on January 11, 1853. None of those who took part in that, the
first masonic funeral in Monroe, is now living. Mr. Miller was a promi-
nent man in the business circles of the city, and one of the founders of
Trinity Episcopal church.
Dundee Lodge No. 74
A petition for the organization of a lodge at Dundee was presented
November 1, 1854, and two weeks later Dundee Lodge No. 74 was
organized in that village, being the second in the county.
Washington 's birthday in 1856 was observed by Monroe Lodge by a
ban<iuet, and by a masonic address by Rev. R, Blinn, They were joined
in this celebration of the day by the Cass Guards and Germania Fire
Company, both organizations parading with full ranks and in full
uniform. The lodge had removed from the building on the corner of
Cass and First streets for a few years, afterwards removing to the scicoud
floor of James Armitage's store on Front street.
Monroe Commanderies No. 5, No. 4 and No. 19
This commandery was organized under a charter from the Grand
Commandery of New York, and remained in that number and under that
authority until April 5, 1857, when the Grand Commandery of Michigan
was formed, at which time its former number was changed to No. 4, and
its records surrendered at a special session of the Grand Commandery
held January, 1860, a resolution was adopted authorizing No. 4 to hold
special meetings at Adrian, Michigan, and from this time forth no meet-
ings were held in Monroe as nearly all of its members were serving in
the Union army in the Civil war.
During the Spring of 1860, the old Masonic Hall on Washington
street, was destroyed by fire, and with it was lost all their property and
effects, except siich as were in Adrian. This was a severe loss to the
commandery as well as to many of the Sir Knights, personally. At a
session of Grand Commandery, on June 3, 1863, a resolution was passed,
providing that the location of the Monroe Commandery No, 4 be removed
to Adrian and its name and number changed to Adrian No. 4,
Strenuous efforts were now made to procure a dispensation consti-
tuting our present Commandery No. 19, which were successful, and on
June 30, 1868, a charter was granted to Monroe Commandery No. 19.
At the regular session of Grand Commandery, held June 5, 1860, the
dues of Monroe No. 4 were remitted on account of the above mentioned
fire. This was probably somewhere near the date of the death of
Monroe No, 4, as I find that they were not represented in Grand Com-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 455
mandery, although Rev. D. B. Tracy, of New Baltimore, was elected
Grand Captain General, and was at the time a memhec of Monroe No. 4.
At session of Grand Commandery in June, 1862, No. 4 was represented
by W. F. King, of Adrian, as proxy for Commandery. At this session,
it was "Resolved, That in the event of Monroe Commandery, No. 4,
failing to recover their charter, a new one be granted free of charge."
The old charter was not burned at Masonic Hall, as it was found several
years afterwards at the house of S. Q. Clark, while looking over the
effects of James Darrah, his brother-in-law, who had died in the army,
and was by him given to Thos. Norman, who sent it to Adrian.
On June 3, 1863, at 10 :00 A. M., the following resolution was passed
in Grand Commandery: "Resolved, That the location of Monroe Com-
mandery, No. 4, be removed to the city of Adrian and the name changed
to Adrian Commandery, No. 4." This was the burial of knightly hopes
in this city for the time being.
After much labor on the part of a few Sir Knights of Monroe, a
dispensation was procured December 16, 1867, for our present com-
mandery, and D. B. Tracy was named therein as the first eminent com-
mander under dispensation, and on the 3d day of June, 1868, a charter
was granted Monroe, No. 19.
On the 23d of December, 1867, the first conclave of Monroe Com-
mandery, No. 19, was held in old Masonic Hall, over F. S. Sill's store,
with D. B. Tracy as eminent commander and Chas. Toll as recorder.
The next conclave was held February 6, 1868, and several companions
elected to take the orders. On February 20, 1868, the orders were
conferred on Companions Frank Raleigh, Geo. R. Hurd, W. J. Planning
and A. F. Eiseman in the order named, constituting them the first who
received the orders in Monroe, No. 19.
September 3, 1868, the first meeting was held under the present
number charter, and officers elected as follows : A. I. Sawyer, eminent
commander; H. Shaw Noble, generalissimo; Prank Raleigh, captain
general; G. R. Hurd, prelate; Thos. Norman, senior warden; Geo. Spald-
ing, junior warden ; Chas. Toll, recorder ; Constant Luce, treasurer ; R. "W.
Figg, standard bearer; John Lane, sword bearer; Joseph Waltman,
warder; A. F. Eiseman, sentinel. These officers were duly installed on
November 5, 1868.
The next election and installation of officers was held March 4, 1869,
and regularly on the first Tlmrnday of the month next preceding Good
Friday from that date to this.
RoYAi. Arch Masons
River Raisin Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M., was instituted March 18,
1859, under a dispensation by Salathiel C. Coffinbury, M. E. Grand High
Priest of the Grand Chapter of R. A. M., of the State of Michigan,
dated March 7, 1859, to the following named companions as charter
members : James Darrah, D. B. Tracy, B. J. Thayer, W. Corbin, Thomas
Norman, Constant Luee, John H. Woleott, B. H. Curtis, and W. P.
Christiancy; with James Darrah, first M. E. H. P.; D. B. Tracy, first
M. E. King, and B. J. Thayer, first E. Scribe.
The records show that Lewis Friedenberg was the first to make
application for the degrees of the chapter, on March 18, 1859, and Com-
panions Dansard, Friedenberg and Meyerfeld the first team exalted, and
Butts, "Wakefield and Eiseman the second, both being exalted on same
date, April 22, 1859. May 13th Companion Dansard was appointed the
first regular secretary.
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456 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Lodger Outside the City
Masonic lodges in the county outside the <dty -. \o. 74, Dundee,
instituted January 11, 1855; No. 102, Blanehard, Petersburg, January
14, 1858; No. 438, Samaria, May 24, 1905; No. 110, Hiram, Flat Rock,
January 14, 1859; No. 144, Russell, liarabertviSle, organized 1864. re-
voked 1904.
Dundee Lodge, No. 74, as before stated, was the second to be or-
ganized in Monroe county, and its first officers were Henry AVatling,
J. W. McBi-ide, J. W. Mason, M. D., Jobn J. Dixon, tieorge C. Kent,
U. A. Wilkerson, Euos Kent.
In 1858 another lodge in the county was organized at Petersburg
through the efforts of Rev. D. Hiii'iihain Tracy and John T. Rose, Isman
P. Russell and others, whicli was named Blanehard Lodge, No. 102, and
its institution dated from February 16, 1859, D. B. Tracy being worship-
ful master and Horace Hill secretary. This lodge of long and honor-
able career has had for its officers the following : ^Masters — D. Burnham
Tracy, 1839-1864. 1865; William Corbin. 1860-1863; James I. Russell,
1861-1862, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1870. 1871. 1873. 1875. 1876; AV. Hogle,
1869-1877; E. W. Reynolds, 1872. 1874; A. C. "Williams, 1878-1879,
1880; J. T. Rose. .188]. 1882. 188;J, 1886. 1887; 1888; Perrv McCartv,
1885; N.B. Russell, 1889.
Secretaries — Horace Hill, 1859; ilorgan Parker, I860; 'William
Heath, 1861, 1863, 1864. 1872, 1873. 1884; H. Candmrn, 1865, 1866,
1867. 1868, 1869. 1870; G. A. Canfield. 1871 ; T. P. Barlow. 1874, 1875.
1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880; A. E. Stewart. 1881. 1882, 1883, 1885,
1886, 1887, 1888, 1889.
IloNOKs TO Mdnhoe M.\B(INS
Distinguished honors have been paid to Monroe Masons by the vari-
ous grand bodies in the choice of officers, as will be seen fi'om the fol-
lowing note by a member of the order at the present time.
CoiApanion A. T. Sawyer was elected grand high priest of the Grand
Chapter in 1874, deputy in 1873, grand king in 1872, grand scribe in
1871, grand captain of the host in 1870, and made grand principal
sojourner in 1879; was chairman of the committee which framed the
present constitution of the Grand Chapter in 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878 ;
was ehainnan of the committee on jurisprudence for many years; repre-
sented the Grand Chapter of Michigan in the General Grand Chapter
when it met at Denver in 1883. and was first to receive a grand high
priest's .iewel without salary. In 1871-2 was chairman of the committee
to arrange the chronology of the Order of High Priesthood in this state,
and upon that report the present chronology was founded; and in 1871
was chosen vice-president of the order. In 1872-3 was elected grand
president of the Order of High Priesthood in this state, acting for others
as such several other sessions. At one time ho was the only person in
the state who had the work of the order.
Companion Joseph Clark was appointed chairman of the committee
on finance of the Grand Chapter in 1876, and has been reappointed each
year ever since, and at the session of the Grand Chapter in 1888 was pre-
sented with a past high priest's jewel for his faithful and successful
labors as sueh, a like compliment never having been extended to a
member before.
First Odd Fellows L<)D(iE
The first establishment of a lodge of this order in Monroe was the
organization of Monroe lodge, No. 19, on January 16, 1847, and a lodge
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 457
room opened lemporarily in the basement of the old River Raisin Bank,
a large building standing on Washington street and the public square.
The official installation of the lodge, however, took place in the old Kel-
logg's Exchange, the four-story brick structure which stood for many
years on the present site of B. Dansard's Son's state bank, and which
was destroyed by fire in 3852 or 1853. The charter members of this
lodge were Benjamin F. Pifield, Jefferson G. Thurber, Joseph M, Ster-
ling, Henry Grinnell, W. A. Noble, W. H. Wells, James Darrah, George
S. Howe and Walter W. Prentice. Andrew J, Clarke, M. W, G. M. of
the Grand liodge of Michigan ; W. J. Baxter, grand secretary ; Colonel
John Winder, A. S. Kellogg, Charles S. Adams and P. Teller of De-
troit represented the Michigan Grand Ijodge instituting tliis first
lodge of Odd Fellows in the city of Jlouroe. Upon the aeleetion of a
permanent lodge room and the holding of regular meetings, there were
many additions to the lodge from the prominent men of tlie city. In
1848 the church building of the old Presbyterian fhurch which stood
at the corner of Cass and Second streets was purchased l)y Elbridge (!.
Brigham, a furniture manufacturer, who remodeled the structure to
meet the wants of another class of o<icupancy and fitted up a commodious
and acceptable lodge room, which was rented by the Odd Fellows and
occupied by them for many years. It was also for some months used
by the Masonic bodies of the city. It was afterwards found expedient
to remove from the church building und lodge rooms were found in
the second story of the Elver Raisin Bank, the same building, in the
basement of which the order first had their lodge. In 1858 fire de-
stroyed this building, as well as every other business building on
Washington street, from the public square north to Front street, turn-
ing that corner and continuing on Front street to the alley, taking
everything in its path, including Strong's Hotel, the postoffiee and the
Episcopal church, the most destructive fire which has ever visited Mon-
roe. In this fire the record books and property of the lodge were en-
tirely destroyed with the exception of a few emblems and the large
bible, which had been presented by Mr. H. D. Walbridge, who after-
wards removed to Toledo, where he died many years ago. The Jlonroe
lodge. No. 19, in 1812 occupied a conunodious and well appointed lodge
room in the La Fountain building, corner of Monroe and Front streets.
Lincoln Lodge, No. 190, I. 0. 0. F.
Lincoln lodgi', No. 190, of Monroe, was organized July 19, 1872.
The charter members of which were Charles Frank, John P. Schluter,
Anton Munch, Charles Kirchgessner, Jacob Kull, Edward Vogel, N.
Rupp, Jacob Zang.
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CHAPTER XXXVI
CHIEFLY SOCIAL AND SPORTSMEN'S CLTTBS
Establishment of Social Clubs — The O. L. Club— Two Famous
Sportsmen's Clubs (prom "Field and Stream," by Frank Hey-
wood) — Gold Club Organized — The Monroe Markm Club — Mon-
roe Yacht Club — The (Ierman "Workingmen 's Association —
Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company op Monroe and
Wayne Counties.
Monroe has always enjoyed the well merited reputation of a eoin-
nmnity of marked social cliaraeteristics. Hospitality to its visitors and
close social relations between the people of all ages in the community
has existed, very much to their mutual pleasure and enjoyment. It is
a pleasant characteristic, and one upon which our neighlwrs in other
cities have had occasion many times to comment enthusiastically from
their own experience here.
It is a custom which appears to have been always in vogue. From
the early days when the early French families from Sunny France, or
gay Montreal, or tlie aristocratic Quebec came to live here along the
banks of the vine-clad Raisin and build their rude but comfortable
"habitations," the hospitality of genial, whole-souled, kindly people
gave hearty welcome; the doors were always open and the best in the
larder was not only at the pleasure of the caller, but they were hospitably
importuned to indulge to a point beyond prudence.
Establishment of Social Clubs
This social tendency is seen today in the number of social clubs that
flourish in the city; this particular feature is more prominent than
was the case in the last generation for cogent reasons ; previous to 1890
it was truthfully asserted that the ambitious young men of Monroe,
when they reached able manhood invariably left their home town to seek
employment in other fields of endeavor; this was in part due to the
fact that business opportunities in a residence town of 4,000 popula-
tion of slow growth and with little or no manufacturing were not
abundant nor attractive. For many years the usual channels of busi-
ness were limited and over-supplied with men or boys; hence it was
not surprising that the boys who were ambitious to be in comirmnities
where there was "something doing" left for other scenes.
It is different now. The industrious young man when he has fin-
ished his school days need no longer feel himself lured away by ap-
parently greater attractions or more enterprising and cultured com-
munities— for there are none. On the other hand, the demand for in-
telligent help is not fully supplied from the local ranks, but there are
many accessions from other and far less desirable fields. This im-
proved condition has naturally had a marked influence in auiimenting
the membership of local clubs.
458
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 459
Social and Other Clues
Following are the names of the social and business clubs of Monroe,
including those already mentioned elsewhere :
Monroe Yacht Club, Merchants and Manufacturers, The Jlonroe
Club; Krypton Club, Monroe Driving Park, The Wolverine Club, and
the 0. L. Club.
The O. L. Club
The O. L. Club, perhaps the oldest of the social list, was organized in
June, 1873, bv the following young men of the city : A. N. Perkins, W.
C. Waldorf, W. P. Stirling, A. B. Diffenbaugh, P. S. Sterling, and
George C. Ijoranger. This was the nucleus of what has since become one
of the social features of Monroe, embracing the names of many of the
business and professional men of the city, of all political affiliations,
without regard to denominational preferences or professions, business
or matrimonial alliances or "previous condition of servitude." The
club rooms are located in the B. Dansard's Son's State Bank building
at the corner of Front and Washington streets, which are comfortably
furnished and provided with all the accessories of a well-managed social
organiKation.
Two Famous SroitTMiEN 'sj Cr.uus
"An unique and bniiniifiil provisions bj nature for aanc and civillzeii enjoyment
of rational sport."
I From an arfitle published in The Field nml Hireim in IPdl, ivritten bj a
eontrihiitor, Franlc Heyivootl.]
Nestled peacefully in one of the most beautiful valleys of the great
commonwealth of Michigan in the midst of fertile, well-tilled acres and
the "elegant "bounty" of one of nature's great producing districts, lies
the second oldest settlement in this venerable state, whose history goes
back as far as 1620, in New France, when the Quebec adventurers and
Jesuit missionaries and the Courews des Bois were the first to discover
the attractions of one of nature's beauty spots. The surrounding land-
scape, while by no means bold and striking, is, to the not too exacting
observer, one of (|uiet and satisfying eliaraet eristics. Forest, stream,
lake nnd marsh like a botanical garden fill the measure of the nature
lovers dream of country loveliness and the sportsmen's ideal of a
"perfect paradise."
For more than a century, even ever since this region was first ex-
plored by the early French voyageurs, the extensive marshes which lie
between Monroe and the lake at its western extremity have been famous
as a rendezvous for almost every variety of wafer fowl. The immense
fields of wild rice and celery which constituted these marshes offer most
tempting indticements as royal feeding grounds foi* vast numbers of
ducks, while geese and brant frequently stop for luncheon on their way
to and from breeding grounds in the region farther north. It is not
strange, then, that this has always been a favorite haunt for sportsmen.
The first club to be formed for the purpose of enjoying these great
privileges was the Golo club of Monroe, Michigan, and the way if came
about is entertainingly told by Mr. Harvey M. Mixer, one of the charter
members, and the sole survivor (at the time this sketch was written),
who will doubtless be remembered by many of our readers.*
"T first began shooting in the Monroe marsli," said Mr. Mixer in a
recent interview, "in 1849. I was at that time engaged in the lumber
age of eighty-
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460 HISTORY OP UrONBOE COUNTY
business, anil employed an agent at Monroe, who bought and shipped
lumber i'or me. and on whom I called two or three times a year. On
the first of these visits I became thoroughly impressed with the iiiiniense
opportunities for sport with the gun, and thereafter invariably took
mine with me. Jn the great stretches of marsh lying between the town
and Lake Erie tliere were, every fall, untold thousands of ducks, as
well as many geese and swan, feeding wholly undisturbed by man, ex-
cept for the occasional Frenchman, who would quietly push his dugout
through the wild rice and lie in his hiding place until he could get a
shot at close range. At that time there was not a gun heard for days.
nor any sound, save the tumnlt of the enormous liordes of canvas-hack,
red-head, mallard and every other variety of water foul. On (lie mar-
gin of the marsh woodcock and snipe shooting was excellent. I remem-
ber well one afternoon's shooting with a friend in the locality, when
we bagged seventy-three English snipe. In the high ground alrout
Monroe, back a few miles from the lake, quail shooting was excellent,
while wild turkey, partridge and other game birds were abundant.
"In the fall of 1853 I sent one of my vessels, the schooner '^Yest
Wind,' to Jlonroe with a cargo of iron for the M. S. and N. I. R. R.,
now known as the L. S. and M. S. R. R., which was then building west-
ward from Jlonroe to Chicago. I went to Jlonroe and chartered tlic
vessel back to Buffalo with com, and wlien she arrived at her dock an
admiring crowd assembled to gaze at the magnificent lot of ducks which
I had trussed upon the rigging as the result of my three days' shooting
in the Monroe JIarsh.
"Among othei-s was John L. Jewett, better known to his friends as
'Jack,' who was thrown into great excitement by the exhibit, and re-
solved to go with me to these great hunting gi-ounds the next season.
He did so, and for many seasons after, and so did George Truseott and
J. 11. Bliss, of Buffalo. We found lodging with Joe Sears, a capital
fellow and good liunter, who had a house on an island in the midst of
the marsh on the hanks of the stream, and here we sent generous con-
signments of provisions, a judicious selection of lii|uid refreshments, to-
gether with our boats, decoys, etc. About this time the railroad eom-
pany, which iiad some years before built two or three palatial stcamei's
to connect the eastern termimis of this line at tlie Monroe piers with
Buffalo, had erected docks, warehouses, elevators, machine shops and a
large, fine hotel. The company for some years after operated this line
as a part of their system from Chicago to Buffalo, and subsequently
abandoned all these expensive improvements at the piers when there was
no further use for them, and removed all the buildings to some other
point. The hotel retnained, and finally it was proposed by one of our
little coterie of hunters to buy the building and convert it into a club-
house. A conference was held in Buffalo by J. L. Jewett, J. II. Bliss,
(leo. Truseott, A. R. Trew and II. M. Mixer. It was found that the
structure was admirably situated for our purpose on the substantial
piers built by the railroad company, directly across the channel from
the government piers, and contiguous to the shooting ground, as well
as to the finest bass fishing to be found in the country. It was accord-
ingly decided to lease the property, which was transferred, together
with the privilege to use the docks and other buildings as long as they
lasted.
GoLO Club Organized
"It was at this meeting, too, that the 'Golo Cliib' was organized,
about 1854, with the following officers ; John L. Jewett, president ; J,
M. Sterling, vice-president; H, M. Mixer, secretary and treasurer;
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Cpo.gr TiiHtiitt, i)in-ctor '- "- J^l'^s. Direetoc TrfasiiL-cL-
Officers of Golo Club "'"' "'"■'^*'"'
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462 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
George Truseott, J. H. Bliss and A. R. Trew, directors. The name
'Golo' was given to the club by President Jewett, a name which his
French punter had bestowed oii a peeuliarly-mariied duck occasionally
shot in the marsh, and which some of the members of the club called
' Whistlers, ' on account of a loud whistling sound made by them when in
flight. The duck was about the size of a redliead, black on the back,
glossy black wings tipped with white, black head, and altogether a very
handsome bird, resembling the gadwall. The name "Golo' itself has no
other special significance.
"The new quarters were immediately taken possession of, alterations
made and comfortably and even lavishly furnished; a competent chef
had charge of the kitchen; servants and punters relieved the members
of the usual drudgery of a hunter's life, and not a season passed from
that of its organization to 1865 that did not see all the members present,
as well as numerous guests who were invited to enjoy the generous hos-
pitality of the club. The club-house was never opened for spring shoot-
ing, and during the shooting season in the fall we shot only the largest
and finest ducks, canvas-backs, redheads, mallards, widgeon, and occa-
sionally, blue-bills.
"During my incumbency of the office of secretary of the club I kept
an accurate record of the number of ducks killed by each member, of
days each one shot, and the kind of ducks killed. That some approxi-
mate idea may be had of the sport, the members of the Golo Club en-
joyed during the season of 1865, it may be stated that the total score
was something over three thousand ducks, the daily average per gun
being about forty birds ; and it should be remembered that it was in the
days of muzzle-loaders. These were sent away daily by express in
baskets made expressly for the club to our friends in New York, Albany,
Rochester, Utica, Cleveland and Detroit. The only resident member
of the club, as originally organized, was the late J, M. Sterling, of Mon-
roe. Sterling never did much shooting, but was an exceedingly valu-
able man to the club in various ways. In 1866 my business kept me
almost wholly in New York, as well as the year following, and I was
unable to meet the club. I therefore sold my share of stock to General
Geo. A. Custer, U. S. A., who had then just returned to his home in
Monroe, at the close of the war. Shortly after General Custer was
ordered to Texas with his command, and sold his share of stock to Hon.
H. A. Conant, of Monroe. The club maintained its existence for a few
years after this, but removal of members from the country, deaths of
others, and the final destruction of the club-house during a violent
storm which swept the piers, caused the dissolution of what is believed
to be the first sportsmen's club of any importance organized in the west.
The Golo Club had no title to any of the marsh lands, but operated
under permits from the United States Government to occupy the light-
house reserve upon which the club-house stood, and leases and shooting
privileges from the old French settlers. While always respected as a
private reserve there was no exclusion of other parties from shooting in
the marshes, and there was never, or but seldom, any disposition mani-
fest to abuse the privileges extended, or in any way to embarrass the
club. Besides, there were so many hundreds of thousands of birds in
the marsh that it seemed that should the entire neighboring population
turn out with an arsenal of guns and ammunition they could not occa-
sion a perceptible diminution of the supply. The members of the Golo
Club were well known in Buffalo, Detroit, and indeed, wherever business
and refined pleasure were conducted on proper lines. They were all
successful business and professional men, who occasionally forgot the
perplexities of commerce, the fluctuation of trade and the uncertainty
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 463
of riches in the rational pastimes of 'gentlemen sportsman.' The ample
means of the members, their correct tastes, their intrinsic worth and
loyal friendship, their true sportsmanlike instincts and the environ-
ments in which they were placed, seem to constitute the essential feat-
ures of the hunter's dreams of comfort and luxury. Such was the
Colo Club.
The Monroe Mabsii Club
"Following the dissolution of the GoJo Ciub and its disappearance as
such from Jlonroe, there ensued a period of several years before any
action was taken towards the formation of a similar organization, or
any club for the same purposes as that which had for so many years
enjoyed its honorable and sportsmanlike record in the same luxuriant
surroundings. During this interim, however, it is not to be supposed
that these rich, wild fowl shooting grounds were suffered to become
neglected, nor the opportunities ignored. There were too many good
sportsmen in Monroe to permit the possibility of such an unthinkable
situation. There were also too many market hunters who were not
averse to making a few dollars daily by supplying the tastes of Monroe
people for canvas backs, redheads, mallard and teal. It is a matter of
record that these magnificent birds were sold by the hundred in the city
of Monroe for twenty-five to fifty cents each. It was not difficult nor
expensive in those days to become an epicure — a gourmand, a ion vivant.
Both fall and spring shooting was pushed to the limit — no recognition
of proper or improper seasons, the indiscriminate slaughter went on,
and the unceasing bombardment on,- by the horde of owners of guns of
all descriptions, from a flint-lock musket of the vintage of 1812 (possi-
bly picked up on the battle ground of the River Raisin at that) to the
better grades of sporting guns. The din sometimes resembled the chaos
of a militia sham battle. This sort of thing went on for a considerable
time, and it was confidently thought that the apparently inexhaustible
supply of birds and their increasing numbers would not call for legisla-
tion on the subject. But it was eventually realized that the time had
arrived when some effectual measures must be adopted to prevent ex-
termination of the birds which annually visited this locality in such
countless numbers and fed upon the wild rice and wild celery which
grew in such luxuriant abundance in these waters. The steps necessary
to accomplish the desired results were undertaken with the necessary
diplomacy, but with determination on the part of those interested.
"The first laws enacted by the state legislature for this purpose
were not altogether satisfactory, and through lack of proper administra-
tion and vigorous enforcement proved inadequate and abortive. Mean-
while the sportsmen found their bags growing smaller with each suc-
ceeding season. Then it was that a number of congenial gentlemen who
had been coming to Monroe year after year, just as the original mem-
bers of the Oolo Club had done two decades before, finding that unless
something decisive and radical was promptly undertaken, and that in
pure self-defense the days of duck shooting for them in the Monroe
marsh were numbered, met and organized 'The Monroe Marsh Com-
pany.' The records of the company show that the meeting at which
this organization was effected was held at the Globe Hotel, Syracuse,
New York, on May 30, 1881. Mr. Howard Soule was chairman, and H.
G. Jackson, secretary. The membership of this club originally consisted
of twenty-four gentlemen from different parts of the United States
and Canada, all of them having become familiar with the attractions of
the place through repeated visits there. The company so formed ac-
quired by lease and purchase about five thousand acres of marsh lands.
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464 HISTOKY OF MONROE COUNTY
whi{;li extend from tlie high ground on which the eity of Monroe ia lo-
cated eastward to a narrow strip of sandy beach, which forms the west-
ern shore of Lake Erie, varying in width from one to two miles. Near
the center of this territory is an island, which, in aboriginal days, was a
favorite camping ground for the Pottawotamie and Shawnee tribes of
Indians. Later one of the early French settlers built a dwelling here,
and the locality became known as 'House Island.' Still later this island
was crossed by the line of railroad spoken of in another place, and dur-
ing the progress of necessary excavations a large number of Indian
relics were found, consisting of tomahawks, flints, arrow-heads, stone
hatchets, copper utensils and many skeletons of supposed red men.
Here, too, a quarter of a century ago, was the famous sportsmen's re-
sort, 'Hunter's Home,' of which old 'Uncle' Joe Guyor was the host.
and where the daily menu was largely made up from the products of
the surrounding marsh and the fields that flourished on the island, where
£re(|uently the piece de resistance was the toothsome 'musquash.' These
possessions of flncle Joe's were included in the property acquired by
the Marsh Company, and on the site of the historic old hostelry, which
is dear to the memory of many of the old fellows who will read this,
was erected a commodious club-house, and, adjoining on the east, a
number of private lodges, boat-houses and other buildings for the ae-
coramodation of members and their scrvaiits, all constituting an estab-
lishment which it is believed has no counterpart, and providing for the
fortunate members a most attractive, luxurious home when on the marsh.
A spacious and cheerful general sitting-room occupies a considerable
part of the ground door of the main building, one of whose conspicuous
features is an immense fireplace capable of receiving logs of wood four
or five feet long, which, in the chilly autumn evenings, appeal very
powerfully to one's sense of the eternal fitness of things. Comfortable
chairs and couches, cases of well-mounted game birds, all trophies of
the club's campaigns; gun racks and other befitting furnishings make a
most agreeable toiit-riiscmblc. Each member has a bedroom with sitting-
room adjoining for his exclusive use, both comfortably heated and fur-
nished.
■'Besides a punter for each gunner the company employs a head
keeper and under keepers, with a competent ehef housekeeper and suffi-
cient servants,
"As may be readily believed, in the midst of these arrangements for
comfort, the table is by no means the least of the attractions of the place,
A dinner of five or six courses is served every evening, each of which
would stir the soul of an anchorite.
"The club shooting is governed by field rules which are rigidly en-
forced, and which provide for the exclusion of any feature likely to mili-
tate against the interests of the company. Following are extracts from
the club's manual:
" 'No shooting for market or hire on the property of the i\Ioni-oc
Marsh Company shall be permitted at any time.
" 'Each member when at the marsh may employ only the punters or
attendants approved by tlie directors. No punter or guide shall be al-
lowed to shoot upon the property of the company except from the stand
occupied by a member in his place and in his stead, or for the purpose
of gathering 'cripples.'
" 'No gim shall be fired upon the property of the company between
the first day of May and the fifteenth day of September; nor south of
Smith's Island, Snake creek and the Raisin river between the fifth day
nf Octoder and the fif'tcentli day of Oi-tobei'; nor on Sundays; nor be-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 465
fore 7 A, M. ou any other day; iior later than sundown with the
exception of one evening each week during the months of October and
November to be designated by a majority vote of the members present.
" 'During the month of October there may be at least one rest day
beside Sunday in each week, the same to be designated by a majority
vote of the members present.
" 'The priority for choice of positions sliall be decided daily, by lot,
the selection to be availed of before 10 A. M. No person shall shoot
within two hundred yards of another who has previously located.
" 'No jack lam])s, nor any night lights, for .fishing or other pur-
poses, shall be permitted on the Marsh at any time.'
"As will be observed, the shooting rules are framed with the view
of giving the ducks ample time for feed and rest.
"AVhile the legal shooting seasons open September first the rules of
the club do not permit shooting before the fifteenth ; thus the ducks
which are harassed by hunters on the marsh outside from the first day
of the open season soon learn that they have a haven of rest in the five
thousand acres of the Marsh Company, with the result of tiieir becoming
wonted fo the locality. The day's program at the club is about as
follows :
"At the breakfast hour lots are drawn for the different points of
vantage, when each punter is notified of his principal's location; he
proceeds at once to load his own boat with the necessary decoys, blinds,
etc., and brings the shooter's boat, supplied with his rugs, cushion,
luncheon, guns and ammunition to the front of the club-house, where
he makes it fast to the landing dock.
"The punter then rows his own boat to the shooting point already
designated, puts out the decoys, arranges the blind and prepares every
detail in advance of the arrival of his principal, who, in the meantime,
has finished his breakfast, and is now rowing out to his appointed place
for the day, the punter having found a spot of concealment in the tall
rushes or wild rice, and is in readiness to pick up a dead or recover a
crippled duck.
"When satisfied with the day's sport and ready to 'knock off,' the
shooter pulls out of his blind and returns to the attractions of the club-
house, leaving the punter to 'pick up.' This attendant's duties for
the day are ended when all decoys and boats are carefully and neatly
stowed away in the lioathouse. the ducks hung up in the cold storage
house and the guns thoroughly cleaned and replaced in their appro-
priate racks. The shooter has already arrived at the club-house, where
a batli and a change of raiment prepare him for the keen enjoyment
with the liunter's appetite the exeeilent dinner which the chef has ready
to serve. The day's scores are then all accurately entered in a book kept
for that purpose, and then follows that luxurious indulgence in the fra-
grant weed before the great open fire, an exchange of the day's experi-
enees, which rounds out what is a red-letter day in the hunter's life.
"AVhile many changes in its membership have taken place since its
foundation the club has always been fortunate in its personnel, for all
have been genial gentlemen and true sportsmen, and at no time have
there been present discordant elements. As stated before, the original
number of members was twenty-four, but it having been found that
fewer guns would be advantageous the membership has been reduced,
and the stock of the retiring members has been absorbed." Of the
original members of the club only Franklin Brandreth, of i'
New York, now remains on the roll.
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466 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
The present officers and members, numbering fourteen, are as fol-
lows :
Franklin Brandreth, Ossining, New York, president; Harold H«r-
rick, New York, viee president; William B. Boulton, New York, secre-
tary and treasurer; W. C. Sterling, Monroe, JMichigan; C. Cadwailader.
New York ; B. Preston Clark, F. S. Mead, A. W. Milliken, Dr. George
(J. Sears, and W. H. Slocum, Boston; J. R. Lawrence, J, L. Law-
rence, Charles N. Ogdon. and H. B. Hollins, New York.
The annual dues are $100, in addition to which each member is re-
quired to pay into the treasury the sum of one dollar for every day or
part of a day on which he shoots on the property of the company, or
for each day that he accepts the assignment, whether he shoots or not.
It will, therefore, appear to the most casual observer that to gratify
one's taste for sueh a luxurious hunter's life involves something rather
more than tlie time. The author wishes to express his acknowledg-
ments to one of the former members of the club, Hon. H. A. Conaut, and
to Mr. "VV. C. Sterling of Monroe, trustee and charter member, of Jlonroc.
for Toost interesting information in connection with this article, and for
coui'tesies too numerous to mention.
Tub Monroe Yacht ('i,t!I(
was organised in 1887 and incorporated May 27. of tliat year, with tlie
following officers: commodore, William C. Sterling; vice commodore.
Seymour Reynolds; rear commodore, W. C. Waldorf; secretary, Wing
Little; treasurer, Joe. C. Sterling; measurer, Capt. .1. M. Lontill;
directors, J, C. Whipple. Chas. E. Wing, Lester 0. IJoddard, R. C. Ful-
ler, W. C. Sterling. The club owns a neat, substantial and commodious
clubhouse for the use of members and their invited guests, situated on
the south side of the government canal upon property owned by tlie
United States government from whom it is leased. The site is that upon
which stood the hotel and passenger station, irheii the Lake Shore Rail-
road ran its trains to the piers to connect ivitli the line of passenger and
freight steamboats running between Monroe and Buffalo.
The club maintains a ferry boat or barge, to convey metnbers and
visitors across the canal from thenerth side, making trips to connect with
the cars running to and from the city on the line of the Detroit United
Railway, or as often as may be required by the members, without eharjic.
The service by the electric railway is in effect from May 30th to October
1st, the fare charged being five cents each way per passenger, affording a
pleasant, rapid, comfortable and inexpensive trip of about three miles
along the River Raisin which is greatly enjoyed by Monroe people and
visitors from abroad, diiring the summer. The club maintains a fleet of
cat boats for the use of members, under proper rules and restrictions,
the expense of which is met hy appropriation from the club's receipts
from the sale of membership fees and annual dues. The formality of
becoming a member is simply the application for one share of the stock
which is $10, and the election of the applicant hy the club. The annual
dues previous to 1912, was $4.00, hut at the annual meeting in that year
it was decided to advance this fee to .$5.00, which is the present amount.
The club numbers something over 250 members and inchides many of
the business and professional men of the city, besides quite a large
number of ladies. The charge for this very desirable and attractive
element in the club, for the enjoyment of the same privileges as the
gentlemen, is one dollar each per year.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 467
The club house is built on piles over the waters of Lake Erie, and is
surrounded on all aides by a spacious veranda, from which a delightful
view of the passing steamers and other shipping is had and from which
the club races and other interesting aquatic functions can be viewed
with great eiyoyment by the large number of spectators which are always
sure to be present on these occasions. Dancing is provided for in the
spacious assembly room, which occupies almost the entire floor space
of the house. Picnics and family parties are popular here, for which
ample facilities are provided on the roomy verandas. Perhaps no
institution in Monroe has contributed more to the enjoyment of Jlonroe
people than this organization. The officers are : commodore, Thornton
Dixon ; vice commodore, W. P. Cooke ; rear commodore, Benj. J. Green-
ing; financial secretary, U. S. Knapp; fleet captain, Frank H. Stoner;
measurer, Earl Kull; fleet surgeon, Dr. J. J. Siffer; chairman hoiise
committee, J. C. Sterling.
In addition to the fleet of cat boats owned by the club, many power
boats and sail boats, privately owned by the members, afl'ord ample
opportunity for the enjoyment of the waters of Lake Erie.
Tut; German Workingmen 's Aksoci.vtion
of Monroe, is one of the oldest social and beneficial org!ini;;ations in
Monroe, having been organized in February, 1865, with but seventeen
members, whose names follow; Charles Kirehfressner, August Girshke,
Gustave Girshke, John BeckerJein, Louis Waldorf, John L. Eekert,
Nicholas Rupp, John Buttman, Michael Kibburtz, Andrew Rummel, and
others. When the membership had increased to one hundred, the society
rented a commodious hall of Geo, Rapp, whicli was the home of the
association for many years, but which was later exchanged for Munch 's
Hall on Monroe street, whifh they now occupy. Tiie Jirst offieera of the
association were John P. Schluter, president; Anton JIuneh, vice-presi-
dent; Frank A, Kirchgessner, secretary; Michael Kibburtz, treasurer.
Among tiiose who have been chosen presidents are Charles Kirchge^ner,
August Girsclike, George Nickel, (llharles Grnner, E. Q. J. Lauer, Chas.
Htelzner, Jacob Eoeder; tlie last named has been president for the past
22 years and still holds the office. The present membership of the asso-
ciation is 422, the state organization comprises 86 societies with a total
membership of 13,600. Each member when initiated pays a fee accord-
ing to the age of entry ranging from .'|i2.00 to $15.00. Upon the dealJi of a
member, or a member's wife, one hundred dollars is paid to the family
of deceased for funeral expenses, out of the local treasury of the Bund,
while the state association pays the family $500 in case of the death of
a member. The local society has a cash surplus at present of about
$7,000.00. The present officers are Jacob Roeder, president, Adolph
Rupp, vice-president; Conrad Kibburtz, flnancial secretary; John C,
Kolh, recording secretary ; Gustave C. Jlerz, treasurer ; Wm. F. Acker,
surgeon and physician. Trustees, Fred Fuerstenberg, Henry Thrams,
Geo, Witltz. George A. Steiner.
Tke Farmers' Mutcai. Firk Insurance Comi*any
OP Monroe .vno W.vvne Counties
For forty-nine years this staunch and prosperous institution has been
one of those whose record is of the highest. One of the charter members
and for many years its honored president was the late Hon. A. J. Keeney,
of Erie. For nearly as many terms Hon. E. W. Hilton, also of Brie, has
been, as he still is, its secretary. The organization in its membership and
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468 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
operation is limited to Monroe and Wayne counties. The raenibership
on October 1st, 1912 was 9,672, the amount at risk on that date was
$17,936,800, no losses unpaid, the year closed with only $29,155.77 of
losses and damages. The officers are Jas. H. Vreeland, president ; Frank
G. Brunt, vice-president; E. W. Hilton, secretary; Joel J. Bradner,
treasurer. The office of the association is at Erie, Monroe county.
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CHAPTER XXXVII
CIVIC AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
"Work op the Police — Question op Water Supply — Streets, Parks
AND Bridges — Live Stock and Light — ^The Libraries of Monroe-
Monroe Historical and Library Association — The Civic Improve-
ment Society (By Mrs. W. Van Miller) — The New Government
Post Office
The municipal affairs of the City of Monroe, liave been usually
conductfid with economy and with reference to the comfort and safety
of its people. It is an orderly conmnznity, such as one might expect
to find in the class of people wlio compose it — and its treatment by the
officers of the peace is such as to contribute to its harmony and well
being.
"Work op the Police
A large police force is not deemed necessary, but the members of the
present force discharge their duties with fidelity and alertness. This
is apparent from a perusal of the record for the three years presented
in the latest report by the chief of police, John W. Forner.
There were 252 arrests made, 106 of which were taken before the
justice courts and all pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against
them; seventy-six were taken on city charges and of these sixty -three
paid a fine and costs and thirteen were sentenced to the county jail from
ten to thirty days.
Thirty were taken on county charges; eleven paid fines and costs
and ten were sentenced to the county jail for from ten to thirty days;
six were sentenced to the Detroit House of Correction from sixty-five to
ninety days and three were sentenced to Jackson prison. Four boys were
taken before the juvenile court and sentence suspended.
The report showed that 2,319 tramps or hoboes were taken to the
police station for safe keeping and during the year there were 5,476
calls which the police department responded to.
There were 425 police calls from other cities investigated and five
children were reported, lost all of which were found and returned to
their parents. Five calls from other cities for lost children received
and seven hoys from six to fifteen years of age were picked up and
returned to their parents in Detroit, Windsor, Canada; and Toledo.
Fifteen persons wanted in other cities were located here and five
wanted for forgery were placed under arrest and turned over to officers
of Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Twenty-three cases of contagious diseases were quarantined and in
eight cases necessities of life were looked after, two or three times a
week, by the chief.
Twenty-nine bicycles were reported missing and twenty-two were
located and returned to their owners. Seven horses sick or crippled were
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470 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
reported and five were shot. Forty-nine calls for dangerous dogs were
received and nineteeii canines were killed.
Question op Water Supply
One of our American humorists, possibly Artemus Ward, once
sagely declared that water was very useful for manufacturing purposes,
but as a beverage was somewhat thin. This may be accepted as more or
less a prejudiced view ; but there are a great many more people directly
interested in the water <iuestion from the standpoint of individual con-
sumers, than in the consideration of it in any other aspect, manufacturing
or otherwise.
Monroe, in former days was dependent upon the well, and the cistern
for domestic supply, and the well sweep "the old oaken bucket," the
suction and chain pumps were the means of obtaining it from Mother
Earth. The question of the dangers of contamination, of the source of
supply, and the irregularity of it did not particularly disturb the
earlier inhabitants, but the world became enlightened upon these matters,
and the advancement of civilization brought with it a better under-
standing of domestic comforts and hygienic necessities — and the demand
for pure water and modern facilities for obtaining a certain and con-
tinued supply for cities became universal.
In the twentieth century one is inclined to wonder how it was possible
for people ever to have lived without water works ! With the waters of
Lake Erie almost at the doors of Monroe; or to be exact, two and one
half miles distant, it would seem but a natural step to bring them into
every house in the city at a nominal expense. But water works are not
established and conducted upon any other basis than a large outlay of
money and the direct financial return on this outlay. Monroe considered
this proposition seriously for some mouths, when it was proposed to
inaugurate a system of public water supply. Municipal ownership of
public utilities had not, in the SO's been so conspicuously in the public
eye as since, and even if it had, the doubt existed whether Monroe
would be favorable to a plan for shouldering a heavy debt and the
possibility of failure to make a plant successful. Various plans were
discussed and estimates obtained for a city water works. An engineer
of some reputation was employed to make surveys and submit plans and
specifications for a plant capable of serving the city, not only for its
present wants but to provide for a prospective growth for years.
The plans provided for a generous distribution of mains throughout
the city, both for domestic uses and for adetiuate fire protection. The
common council then advertised for sealed proposals to construct a plant
upon the plans and specifications prepared by Mr. J. D. Cook, a hydro-
graphic engineer of Toledo. Several proposals were received and opened
on February 18, 1889, when the lowest bidders were found to be W. S.
Packer & Company of Pontiac, Michigan, whose bid was accepted. The
"Monroe ."Water Company" was then organized and incorporated, the
officers being as follows: W. S. Packer, president; George M. Landon,
secretary ; and George Spalding, treasurer. Mr. Packer at a later date
resigned and retired from the company.
The statement of the operations in establishing the plant and operat-
ing the same was given by an officer of the present company: "The
original plan contemplated the use of 61,256 feet of pipe of the required
sizes, or an aggregate length of pipe in distribution of the supply re(|uired,
of about thirteen miles. Commencing at a point in Lake Erie where a
depth of seventeen feet of water was obtained, a crib was sunk into which
the water supply from the lake is admitted. Thence it is carried in twenty
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTV 471
ijieh mains submerged in the lake in a closed trench where the land is
reached, about a mile to the northwest, where the intake pipe open8
into a well, divided into two sections. The pumping station is situated
near this well, and supplied with two direct pressure Worthington pumps
of a capacity of three million gallons of water per day o£ twenty-four
hours. From this supply well the water is carried in a sixteen inch main
to the city limits, where connection is made with the distributing system,
consisting of pipes of the sizes of twelve, eight, six and four inches.
Under the contract with the city, there were installed 132 hydrants for
whicli they were to be paid a rental of $6 200 per annum the option
to purchase the plant by the city within one >ear at a stipulated priee
was incorporated in the contract, or at any time inthin ten years, by
agreement, upon terms. The water works have been in operation con-
tinually since the first day of operation and the eitj has enjoyed an
ample supply of good water. One oi moie fountimh m the public
square and elsewhere were provided foi m the tranthiie together with
a supply of street drinking fountains and troughs for horses
A recent request for an analysis of the water was made to the
Univeraity of Michigan by Mr. W C Stalling which br Might out the
following report from Professor Vaughan:
"University of Michigan (1912),
"Laboratory of Hygiene — Heport of the condition of water sent by
\V. C. Sterling, Monroe Water Co., Monroe, Michigan.
' ' Source of the water with remarks on sanitary surroundings — Water
taken from one of water works taps in a drug store. The Water Com-
pany furnishes this water by pumping if in from Lake Erie, several
miles from any river or sewerage outlet.
Physical Properties
■ ' Color — Colorless
' ' Odor — Odorless
' 'Reaction — Alkaline
■'Hardness— 137.51
luoeiilatiou experiments
"Kind of animal inoculated with germs— Guinea pig.
■'Method of inoculation — Introperitoneal.
"Results of inoculation— Negative.
"Couclusion : 1 can find no fault with this water, 1 do not think it
can cause disease.
"V. C. Vaugh.vn,
"Director of the Michigan Laboratory of Hygiene."
The officers and directors of the Monroe Water Company are as
follows; Gen. Geo. Spalding, president; W. C. Sterling, vice-president;
W. C. Sterling, Jr., treasurer ; Geo. M. Landon, secretary : directors.
George M. Landon, Gen. Geo. Spalding, W, C. Sterling, W. C. Sterling,
Jr; J. C. Sterling, superintendent.
The former contract with the city called for $500 for hydrant rental.
The total amount now paid is $6,000 per annum.
Streets. Parkh and Bridges
Those who were interested in the naming of the streets of Monroe,
referring especially to those which appear upon the early plats of the
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 473
village, gave evidence of a patriotic inclination to perpetuate historic
characters and the names of those who were prominent in the nation,
state, and in the community in which they lived and moved. The name
of Washington naturally stands first, Adams, second president, Monroe
the hfth, a-nd Harrison, the ninth, are remembered, but the list of
presidents is now ignored until the name of Lincoln is reached and
more recently Roosevelt. Lewis Cass, the first real governor, the "grand
old man" of Michigan, is in good military company with General Alex-
ander Macomb, and Winfield Scott, both commanders-in-chief of the
United States army. General James Winchester, the unfortunate but
patriotic Kentuckian who met disaster at the River Raisin in 1813 ;
Hull's disgraced name is only recalled by the "Hull's Road" — not to
honor, but to hold him up to shame and obloquy and to indicate only the
military road over which the troops of Harrison used in passing on their
march from Port Meigs to Detroit and the River Raisin. The names of
La Salle, Franklin, Navarre, Roberts, Anderson, Noble, Winchester,
Kentucky avenue, Godfroy, Bacon, Custer, Wadsworth are all familiar
ones in the history of this region.
' ' The public square, ' ' one of the most attractive public grounds in the
state, retains the name employed in the original deed of gift from Joseph
Loranger in 1817. Proposals and suggestions have at different times
been made to select some more graceful or euphonious designation, but
the name "public square" carries with it the acknowledged intention of
the donor, that this tract of public ground should be "used by the citi-
zens of Monroe forever, provided that it be used for no other than
public purposes, in the event of which, however, it should revert to the
owner, or his heirs," So the "Public Square," like "Boston Common"
remains.
Monroe has not deemed the question of "Public Parks" a very im-
portant one demanding consideration.
"Memorial Place," made possible by the Monroe Civic Improvement
Society, has been converted from an abandoned and unsightly cemetery
of the earliest days, to a beauty spot, and appropriately selected as the
site of a handsome dignified monument to the soldiers and other victims
of the massacre at the River Raisin — "Michigan's Tribute to Kentucky."
Had this patriotic and industrious company of the women of Monroe
done nothing more than to have so gloriously achieved this result, their
names should be gratefully remembered by every man, woman and
child who has any sense of appreciation of unselfish devotion to the
beautifying of the resting places of the patriotic dead. It had always
been fondly hoped in the past that the city would acquire either by dona-
tion or purchase the property known as "Noble's Grove" comprising
several blocks of beautifully wooded ground on Washington street
whose magnificent oaks, relies of the original forest, invited the admi-
ration of all passers by, and of those who participated in the celebrations
and other f6tes for which it was so admirably adapted. The opportunity
passed, however, and Jlonroe has never ceased to clierish regret that
the hoped-for park did not materialize. It is now covered by tasteful and
attractive homes of our business men.
The Civic Improvement Society recently interested itself in the
purchase of an unimproved tract in the Third ward, on the south bank
of the river, which the city afterwards acquired — with the purpose of
creating a "children's play ground." This is being slowly improved,
and will eventually become a pleasant and ornamental breathing spot
for the children of the city.
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474 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
The BKiwGEa of MuNitoE
Tlic bridges of Monroe, by th<; reason o£ the fact that the River Raisin
passes directly througli the city its whole length, from west to east, have
been prominent and expensive factors in the city 's atfairs ; the traific of no
less than twenty city streets and five railroad lines must cross the river
on these six bridges.
The first bridge of any considerable importance built to connect the
north and south sides of the town, was one authorized by tlie county
supervisors and the common council in 1819, and a franchise given to
Oliver Johnson and John Anderson in June of that year, "to build and
maintain for a period of twenty-five years, a toll bridge across tlie River
Raisin from Anderson street and Elm avenue, to connect with Monroe
street." This was a covered wooden bridge, rather a dark and dismal
tunnel, tlian « bi'idge, but served the purpose for many years, until
destroyed by a flood in the river, and was succeeded by an open, heavily
timbered affair in the same place, and which met the same fate as its
predecessor. This was a free bridge, built at the .joint cost of city and
county. Another wooden bridge was afterwards built at Macomb street,
which *\as also carried away by freshets, and aftewards replaced by an
iron structure, at a cost of some i('15,000. This too. found a watery grave
in th(' river, during an unprecedented breaking up of the ice in the
river, and the extraordinary volume of water that rushed between its
low banks in the spring of 1878.
The two fine iron structures were built at a eo.st of $10,000 each and
are supposed to be efjual to any reasonable demands upon their stability ;
that at Monroe street is used not only as a wagon bridge, but also by the
Detroit United Railway on their Detroit, Monroe and Toledo Electric
Short line, which is included in their franchise from the City of Monroe.
I^rvL Stock an[i Light
The nis in mbe of Monroe in the Arcadian days of 1857, was more
conspicuous than we find it m its city garb, aggi'essivc movements and
the absence of the rural customs and methods of half a century ago. The
pasturage in the public square and along the avenues was very tempting
to the bovine in those days, and much more appreciated by the cows and
the sheep and the horses running at large at their own sweet will, than
by the citizens who were disturbed by the evidences of country life
shown in the following extract from the proceedings of the Common
Council:
Council Proceedings
"Council Chamber, June l^th, 1857: Minutes of proceedings of la^t
meeting read, approved and signed.
"Petition of J. L. C. Godfrey, and sixteen others, citizens of the
city, calling the attention of the Council, to the great inconvenience to
the petitioners, arising in eonsef|uence of permission given to owners of
cows and cattle generally in running at large within city limits and
especially on Front street, and the Public Scjuare, and in the front of
Churches, and asking the Council to make such prohibitions and restric-
tions, as would meet the case in point. After an interchange of the views
of Council in reference thereto, the same was, on motion of Aid. Mcliride,
referred to City Solicitor.''
Likewise, did the question of light interest the good people, who were
impatiently waiting some radical change from the "age of darkness,"
oil lamps, and liberation from the periods of total nocturnal obscuration
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 475
of the beauties of the "City of Flowers." At last in 185S, there were
evidences of the dawning of a gas light company, as is evident by the
following extract from a local print :
"Shall Monroe Have a Gas Light Company?
' Mr E A Coen of New York has made a proiiositioii to eatallish a Gas * oiii
panj m the City o£ Monroe The proposition ib as tollowa He will builil Coal
Gas Works m the citv on (omljtion that a Company is tornied with a capital of
tnent3 R\c thousanil dollais, li\e thou^arU four htindrci) dollars uf uhuh must be
taken bj utiaens of Monroe ind paid in installments as the ni)rk progrebses, he
wilt furnish the reniaining tnentv thousand dollars, the Companj to furniRli a
Hiiitable lot for the works, to le jiaid for in rtofk, also, to obtain a grant from
the Common Coimiil giiing tbc ex(.lusi\e right to use tbe stieets, lanes and allejR
in the (itv, he mil laj down fi*e thousand four hundred feet of main pipe and
eighty meters for the use of consumers, and furnish a gooil article of Coal Gas at
$3 SU per thousand feet, an good hh any furnished at Detroit or Jackson, if fi\e
bunilred burners are used |itr niglit lie mil (^aruntee to the stook holders ten per
cent per annum and foi everj additional one thousand (lollars of stook sulsirip
tion oier and aboie the h\c thou 'an I four hun Ired, he mil al! out thou<-an1 feet
of main pipe "
Piiet was eertain)\ no object appaifnth tor tilt con'iidei ation of
•fJSO pd thousand feet Moiild para!j7e the consumcis todaj «ho aie
askeil to pay $1.00 per thousand feet.
TtiE LlBK.\RIES OF MONROL
The attempts to provide public circulating libraries were Iwgun at
an early day in Monroe, and in the year of 1827, a sitiall library was in
existence which was l)egun and sustained by the village through its
officers, mainly the village clerk, but the number of volumes was so
Buiall and they were of such an unint«re8ting character, that little
attention was paid to the matter; in addition, the money necessary to
promote and maintain such an institution was difficult to obtain. The
first city library that is remembered was a small collection of books
placed in tlie care of the city clerk as librarian, who was James B.
Whipple, and the repositorj' was in a small building standing at the
southeast corner of the public scjuare, formerly used as the United States
land office — afterwards as the city clerk's office. Not until 1866 did the
public library assume any important functions in the affairs of the city.
In that year the books were decently arranged and catalogued and a
small appropriation made by the common council for the purpose of
tiooks, which did not exceed $150. The room allotted to the library
adjoining the city clerk's office was enlarged somewhat, and with the
aiTival of the new books, the place began to assume something of the
appearance of the nucleus of a public library. The legislature of 1873
passed an enactment, under which the library was removed from the
particular care of the city fathers, and placed in the custody and man-
agement of the board of education, and so remains to the present time.
This was a wise and beneficial change and the library, under capable
librarians, has been one of the most acceptable and valued of the city's
institutions. There is one thing still very much to be desired, na;nely a
suitable fireproof building wherein could be housed the now credit-
able list of books, and rooms for the purposes of an historical association
where relics of the interesting past of Monroe, of which there are many
extant, individually owned in the county.
The present librarian is Mrs. Jennie S. Wallace, through whose
courtesy the author is enabled to give the mc^t recent data in connection
with the library as shown in her annual report for the year ending July
1, 1912, as follows: Number books drawn, 13,777; number using reading
rooms, 4,696; total number using library rooms, 18,473; number cards
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476 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
issued, 997; amount fines collected. $31.34; amount express charges,
$28.60; amount on hand July 1, 1911, $13.66; number volumes added,
256 ; total number books rebound, 76 ; amount fines on hand July, $17.40.
There are in addition to the public library, not however available for
general use, such as that connected with St. Mary's Academy and smaller
collections owned by churches and clubs.
The Monroe Historical and Library Association
This society was organized by the leading citizens of Monroe in
March, 1873, for the very laudable purpose of the collection and pres-
ervation of such luatters, both traditionary and authentic, as should
make it feasible to trace the history of this portion of the United States
and to mark the changes it has undergone. By judicious exertion, it
was hoped to rescue from oblivion many important documents; to dis-
cover and disclose niiiny facts and transactions, either wholly unknown
or imperfectly remembered, and to bring Out and make clear much that
was confused and contradictory in the early annals of these regions and
especially the intimate connection of the earlier settlers and pioneers
with the stirring events of the opening up to civilization of this beautiful
region in which we are favored dwellers — events which transpired in
our vicinity from the supposed date of Father Hennepin's visit to our
shores with his companions, the intrepid Hontan, La Salle, and others of
the adventurers and explorers from Quebec and the St. Lawrence
country.
The objects of the society, the prospective interest and fascinations
of research and investigation met with great favor in the community,
from those especially, who realized the wealth of material for history
and legend that lay about them on every hand and who hoped that tlic
time had arrived at last, when proper and energetic action was to he
taken for the discovery and preservation of this invaluable material.
The meeting called for the purpose of permanent organization was an
enthusiastic one, the following officers were elected: President, Prof.
E. J. Boyd; vice presidents. Rev. D. P. Putnam, M. D. Hamilton; sec-
retary and treasurer, John McClelland Bulkley; recording secretary,
Irvin P. Boyd. Directors, Hon. Thomas Doyle, mayor, F. H. Hubbard,
Hon. E. Willetts, John M. Bulkley, J. D. Ronan, T. B. Wing, O. A,
Critchett. Committees were appointed to take charge of the various
details of proposed operations and another meeting arranged for, at
which the committees were to report progress.
At the public meeting called to formulate a plan of operations for
the unlimited work before it, an elaborate programme was prepared by
the committee appointed for that purpose and enthusiastically adopted.
It eompt-ised preparation of exhaustive treatises on a great variety of
topics intimately connected with- the early historj' and development of
Monroe county, which were assigned to competent and interested mem-
bers, and it is interesting to note that the plans were, by a coincidence,
along the same lines followed by 'the author in preparing the present
history. Unfortunately, however, the gentlemen selected for the differ-
ent topics found themselves committed to a laborious task, though fas-
cinating and intensely interesting. The result was that the generous
programme a'dopted failed of realization. Much historical matter was
collected and reminiscences orally delivered at subsequent meetings,
but interest flagged, partly because of the absence of any safe storage
for collections of manuscripts and books, and partly for reasons al-
ready stated, and the society finally passed into history as one of the
things "that might have been," to be regretted along with futile efforts
previously made, of the same kind.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 477
The Civic Impkovement Society
By Courtesy of Mr-' W Vi> Mill
This is pre-eminently the or^aniziti ii in which Monioe tak(& a
most justified pride and to which it is indebted for many notable and
beautiful improvements, that miglit have otherwise been denied The
timely marking of historic spots bj bronze tablets which had never
been previously attempted — the campaign of tleanliness sanitition and
ornamentation in the streets and parks the renio\al ot all fences sur
rounding the beautiful lawns exciting a stntinient of pride and emula
tion in the beautifying of homes on cverj street the effect of which aided
by the thousands of noble fore&t trees that line the avenues has resulted
in converting the entire city into one extensive park, and the successful
eit'orts to continue the good work which already shows such magnifi-
cent and satisfactory results. All this has required time, good judg-
ment and a refined taste and the loyal support of all citizens as well
88 by the municipal government who enjoy the reputation which Monroe
has gained, and the proud satisfaction which they experience in the
feeling of co-operation that has made possible these glorious achieve-
ments. The author esteems it a very great privilege to present a review
of the work of the Monroe Civic Improvement Society by its accomplished
president, Mrs. W. Van Miller, whose devotion to its interests and her
self-sacrificing work, at all times has contributed so much to its methods
and to its vitality. It has been wholly a labor of love with all of the
members of the society, and their labors to promote the aesthetic and
the hygienic in civil administration will be more and more appreciated
as time matures their wise plans and beneficent work.
Following is Mrs. Van Miller's contribution to this chapter: "The
Monroe Civic Improvement Society was organized in April, 1901, as
the result of the work of a few interested women who canvassed the
city, explaining their reasons for desiring to unite in a society for the
betterment of local surroundings. A visitor to our 'City of Flowers,'
a name upon which we prided ourselves in the years long since past,
as appropriately bestowed, and worthily won, remarked the glaring
downward tendency, rather than the well developed results that should
have marked impi-ovements. Since her visit in earlier days, flowers
there were, but not in profusion, indicative of a lessening rather than
the natural multiplication of blossoms. The simple acredale left in
uncultivated form, in some instances magnificent trees remembered as
pioneers of strength and beauty ruthlessly cut away. Was there no
remedy for this neglect and local defacing of surroundings? Emerson
has called America another name for opportunity. There has never
yet been wanting the redrew, quick and potent for any real existence
of local difficulties and there came the solution in the frectuent 'porch
talks' of a few women. "Why should we not show a commendable
interest in our surroundings and awaken the same interest in others?
As a means of most speedily and successfully accomplishing a reform, a
meeting was called, the object stated, and the new idea born of necessity
and christened hope, met with such approval, that the way to work out
the suggested methods seemed clear and hopeful. At the first meeting
the name, "Monroe Civic Improvement Society" was adopted, a con-
stitution suitable and covering all requirements was accepted, officers
selected, and the different committees delegated to their especial work.
The object of the work briefly stated was the beautifying of the streets
and parks, the care and preservation of the cemetery of the Kentuckians
and pioneer dead, the improvement of the river banks, public squares.
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478 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
railroad stations, streets and alleys, and the sanitation of the eity. We
were open to suggestions and methods inclusive, everything that would
add to the improvement of our eity, our aim being to awaken or en-
kindle the love of the beautiful on greenswards, trees and flowers, wish-
ing to work reciprocally and secure from mutual intercourse much that
was wrought in one year's work. Our attention was directed at once
to the public squares. We fully realized the efforts that had been made
by the neighbors and our committee began by abating the paper
nuisance, as it seemed the accepted idea that the squares were the proper
receptacle for anything not especially reserved for the river banks.
The council issued an edict at our request iixing a penalty for disposing
of debris on the river banks. We realize that the "Riviere aux Raisim,"
so dear to the heart of the French pioneer, was worthy of being re-
claimed. The Indians had many an interesting tradition connected with
our river, some of their wisest rulers are buried on its banks, thej- called
it the place where the Wawbeeks (packs) held for them their dainty
morsel, the Shawgasbee (crawiish) and they made grapevine arbors
that rivaled their wigwams, delighting to be on the banks of the river.
The railroad stations are an evidence of the work aeeomplished by the
committees, streets and alleys quickly improved under the respective
committees and vacant lots which were a disgrace to the owner, and
annoyance to the neighbors received attention, the society spending their
money liberally to improve the general situation. We have never ap-
pealed to the council without receiving from them the most courteous
and helpful consideration, and we know that they have most wisely
decided that the improvement and beautifying of the city, streets and
parks, and even of its yards and houses, become matters not simply
of industrial preference, but of public concern and welfare.
The city council hesitated about giving the society the right to re-
claim the old abandoned cemetery on 5Ionroe street, although tbey
realized that its claim upon our community was great, but today it
stands a spot of beauty, with its eloquent monument to the Kentuckians
and all largely owing to the untiring work and ceaseless energy of the
society.
October 14, 1904, occurred the presentation of the monument to tlie
eity, erected by the women of the Civic Improvement Society upon the
site of the battles and massacre of the River Raisin, January 18, 22
and 23, 1813. The inscription on west side reads as follows :
"Eight hundred Americans under Colonels Allen, Lewis and Wells
fought desperately against three thousand British and allies under
General Proctor. ;Forced to surrender tho' promised protection.
The prisoners left unguarded were attacked and killed by Indians," on
the west side ; ' ' Site of Battle of January 18th, 1813, General Winchester
in command, and River Raisin Massacre January 23, 1813. Erected by
the women of the Civic Improvement Society of Moni-oe."
The next tablet is on the Ireulder in the Ilgenfritz parklet: "Site
of First Indian Trading Post in Monroe."
Continuing up the avenue «'e come to that of the power
house of the Detroit, Monroe & Toledo Railway, where we read :
"First American Flag raised on Michigan soil, in Frenchtown, by
Captain Porter, 1796. Site of River Raisin Block House, occupied by
American troops. Burned by the British Capt. Elliot under orders of
Col. Proctor, August, 1812."
The last tablet on this street is on the boulder east of the residence
of Mrs. Andrew Baier and is marked: "Early Indian Trading Post."
These tablets are of bronze, the inscriptions in relief, except that
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480 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
on the power house at the corner of Elm avenue and Aderson street,
which is of marbie.
Croaaing the river and walking down Front street we eonie to the
boulder in the Sawyer yard. The inscription on this tablet is: "First
Land Granted to the First White Settler, Col. Francis Navarre; First
White Child Born in Monroe County, Gen, Winchester's Headquarters,
in 1813."
Proceeding on our way eastward until we eonie to the Lake Shore
tracks, and turning to the right, we come to the tablet on the boulder
east of the freight house, which marks; "The Hull Road over which
the American troops were driven by the English and Indian Allies
January 22, 1813."
On the court house we find another tablet recording that: "This
ground and the Public Square was granted by Joseph Loranger in
1817 to the County of Monroe for public purposes."
The work of the Civic Improvement Society is too well established
to fail; the officers are always at their posts. If the promise is given
of a blessing to the one "who causes two blades of grass to grow, where
formerly there had been but one," what a world of promise is stored
away in blessings for the members of this society.
The New Government Post Office
The duties of postmaster in Monroe have been discharged tu build-
ings which were temporarily rented by each change of officials and have
been oftentimes most inconveniently located and inconveniently ar-
ranged. It is not known just where the first post office stood, but at
an early day it was located in a building which stood on Jlonroe street,
on the east side, and possibly it once occupied quarters on the west side
of the street in what was known as the Mulholland building. Later it
was housed in the large, dignified and imposing structure built by the
River Raisin Bank standing on the west side of Washington street, near
the public square, which is shown in the illustration of the bank in an-
other chapter. Following this, its mutations of domicile were many
and varied, until in 1911 plans and specifications were prepared by
the government architect at Washington for an appropriate and perma-
nent post office. A site was selected at the corner of Monroe and Second
streets, which was once the home of Hon. Daniel S. Bacon, and the occa-
sional dwelling place when ofE duty, of General G. A. Custer, who mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth Bacon, daughter of the judge. This building is of
substantial but not particularly ornate style of architecture constructed
of gray brick and cut stone, fireproof throughout, and conveniently
arranged for the purposes of the postal service. The contract price was
$85,000, including the ground which is 100 s 150 feet in size.
The first postmaster in Monroe was appointed in 1822, while Michi-
gan was yet a territory; General Lewis Cass being governor and the
appointee was one -John C. Cox ; the second incumbent of the office was
Charles Noble, Esq., who was appointed in 1824 and served four years.
Many of the best citizens of Monroe have filled the office of postmaster
including such men as Lyman Stewart, J. Q. Adams. Jacques Godfrey,
John I. Wendell, Joseph Cole, Walter P. Clark, Edwin Willits. Colonel
F. M. Winans, W. A. Noble, all of whom are dead. Following these
were 0. A. Critchett, H. M. Noble, H. E. Austin, D. R. Crampton, George
Spaulding, C. E. Kirby, the last named being the present incumbent.
Mr, George Huber was either chief clerk or assistant postmaster for
twenty years, from 1884 to 1907 excepting one term.
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CHAPTER XXXVIII
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES
First Township Laws— Five Townships Organized— First Settlers-
Veteran Surveyors — Migrating "on the Bias" — Frenchtown
— Townships of Summehpield, Ash, Exeter, Bedford, I>undee,
Raisinville and Ida — Township of Milan and the Great Macon
Drain — Townships of London, Whiteford, Monroe, La Salle,
Berlin and Erie— Township Supervisors (1912).
Governor Cass began to put into form the county system by laying
out that part of the territory in which the Indian titles had been extin-
guished, into Wayne county, with its seat of justice at Detroit. This
included Monroe county.*
First Township Laws
On the 25th of February, 1825, Congress adopted further legisla-
tion to popularize the affairs of the territory. The governor and council
were authorized to divide the territory into townships and incorporate
them, and to provide for the election of township oificers. Ail county
officers were to be elected, except judges, sheriffs, clerks, judges of pro-
bate and justices of the peace. These were excepted because their func-
tions were in no sense representative, but belonged to the department of
.iustiee, which was of public and not of local concern. Governor Cass, in
his desire to consult the popular wishes, overlooked this principle, and
practically annulled the proviso in the act of Congress forbidding their
election, by informing the people of the townships and counties that he
would appoint any one whom they elected. There is now and has been
much difference of opinion- concerning the propriety of electing officers
of justice, hut at that time there was none, and Congress would not have
sanctioned it.
Five Townships Oro.vnized
I'nder this act of Congress and by order of the governor, five town-
ships were organized in Monroe county in the year 1827, viz. ; French-
town, Monroe, Raisinville, Erie and Fort Lawrence.t The county was
at that time sparsely settled, and the townships were much larger in
extent than now. Ida, London, Summerfield, Milan and Dundee com-
prised the territory included in the township of Raisinville, which lies
northwest of Blonroe and the boundary line between the western city
* When the county court house was hiiriietl in 1873, many of the records,
Qspeeially of the names of supervisors for twenty-three years, from 1850 to 1873,
were lost or destroyed.
t Port Lawrence then lay within the ilispiited territory, and became a part
of Lucas county, Ohio, upon the ail.iimtment of the liovimlary contentions hetweon
Michigan and Ohio.
481
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482 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
limits and the township is about at the eastern boundary of the old Plues,
TinsmaD and Hanzberger farms.
First Settlers
Colonel John Anderson of Monroe, one of the first English settlors
of the county, was the first person to enter land in the new township,
which, however, was taken up five years previous to its organization ;
the second entry was made by Walter Comstock in October, 1822.
Neither of these entries were made, probably, for the purpose of perma-
nent settlement, but to take advantage of the future rise in value. This
was shown by the transfer of these lands to other parties, one Blanchard,
from the east, acquiring this property along with other tracts, and who
commenced improvements at once, built a house and began clearing the
land for farming. . Blanchard proved to be a man of sterling character
and great bravery and fortitude, quite necessary traits in those early
days, and became a valuable acquisition to the county, and an encour-
agement to the pioneers who followed him into the wilderness along
the River Raisin, and began to erect permanent homes for their families.
The succeeding half dozen years witnessed the arrival of a consider-
able number of families from eastern states, who at once formed friendly
relations with the French families who- had long been residents along
the river, and the Raisinville settlement began to take on the appearance
of a thriving and well-to-do farming community.
Veteran Subveyoeb
Robert Clark was tbe surveyor who was most active in exploring
and surveying this portion of the county, and had, in the course of his
duties, covered almost the entire township from the western county
line to the mouth of the River Raisin, a distance of nearly seventy-five
miles. This river is well known as a widely meandering stream, often
doubling back on its course eastward and running parallel to it for
long distances in an opposite direction; then again, diverted by rocky
bed formations and other obstacles, into its original and natural course
towards Monroe and Lake Erie. Robert Clark died while engaged in
the arduous duties of his profession.
Aaron Greeley was another of the veteran surveyors of the time,
who was appointed to make the surveys of all the lands of Monroe who,
with his corps of assistants, consisting of one surveyor, an axe-man, two
pack men, two chain bearers, two hunters to supply the party with
meat, and a camp cook, performed this service in less than a year under
very adverse circumstances; the lines were not run according to any
parallels or meridians, but were run at' right angles to the course of the
stream.
Mr. Risden was another of the early surveyors ; also Henry Disbrow.
Migrating "On the Bias"
Tbe activities of the home were largely directed by the southeasterly
course of the rivers and creeks. Later, when roads were established,
they were laid out between the claims or so as to cut directly across
them sometimes diagonally at certain distances back from the river
front, and in some parts of the county these diagonal roads may still
be seen. As the settling of the country progressed the slightly elevated
gravel and sand ridges of the beaches were utilized for roads. The old
territorial road from Pontiac to Adrian, laid out in 1832, occupies the
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HISTORY OF MONBOB COUNTY 483
crest of the Belmore beach for many miles. The farmers selected these
high ridges as sites for their dwellings because of their accessibility,
better drainage and the ease with which water could be secured. For the
same reason schoolhouses, churches and cemeteries are frequently lo-
cated in such spots. For over a hundred years a considerable propor-
tion of the residents of this county have moved, eaten, slept, worshipped,
died and now lie buried upon the bias, as it were. When the farmer's
son began business for himself he desired the same conditions to which
he had been accustomed on the old homestead, and these he usually
found by migrating either to the southeastward or to the southwest-
ward.
The topography has determined the position of the larger lakes and
rivers of southeastern Michigan.
Frenciitown
Upon the organization of the township of Frenchtown its boundaries
included not only much of the original town of that name which the
early pioneers settled upon the north bank of the River Raisin, but also
the townships of Berlin and Ash, and for this reason was the most
populous of the five which were organized in 1827. The inhabitants gave
their attention to farming almost exclusively, although the eastern line
lay along the shores of Lake Erie and contiguous to extensive marshes,
which afforded opportunity to those so disposed, to engage in fishing and
trapping, from which they derived no inconsiderable revenue. The first
township election took place in April, 1827, the voting place being in the
residence of Francois La Salle, which stood near the River Raisin east
of the present railroad tracks, being now iu the Fourth ward of the
city.
The first supervisor elected {in 1827) was Mr. Edmund Littlefield,
who served two terms and was succeeded by John B. Cicotte, who held
the office for three successive terms; James J. Godfroy followed him in
1832, Laurent Durocher, Medard Couture, Lewis Bond and Warner
Wing filling the office in the years 1833, J834, 1835 and 1836. Prom
that year until 1912 the township has been represented on the board of
supervisors by the following: Laurent Diiroeher (who served six years
from 1842 to 1848 inclusive), Alfred G, Bates, Gouverneur Morris, Tous-
saiute Navarre (served ten years successively from 1851 to 1861, also
two terms in 1862 and 1863). Nelson Jarbo was elected in 1864 and
1865, J. Dusseau in 1866 and 1867, George R. Hurd in 1868 to 1872.
The choice of men to fill the office of supervisors of the township
appear to have been wisely exercised, realizing as the votera undoubtedly
did that this was the most important and responsible one in the town-
ship. It will be perceived that one or two of these officials were held
in high esteem by their constituents who returned them year after year
and in whom they were never disappointed or deceived by any act of
theirs either public or private.
The history of this township is so closely identified with that of the
city of Monroe and the settlement of the county that its history would
be a repetition of what has been told in these pages already, and there-
fore is uniinportaut as a separate narrative.
SUMMEEFIELD ToWNSHIP
This was one of the first settled townships in the county, which is
stated as occurring earlier than 1820. Doubtless the first comers into
the county were pleased with the inviting aspect of the country, for
along the banks of the River Raisin, which flows through the north-
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484 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
western part of the township, are some of the best lands in the county,
while in the early days forests of oak, elm, white wood, maple, walnut
and other hardwoods flourished in their great beauty and offered prom-
ise for the future which must have warmed the heart and excited the
expectation of the settlers who encouraged their relatives and friends
to settle here. The village of Petersburg is in this township, situated
upon a bend in the River Raisin, which was founded by Thomas G, Cole
and Austin E. Wing of Monroe in 1836 upon the farm lands of Richard
Peters, from whom the property was acquired by Cole and Wing. Mr,
Peters was honored by having his name given to the town which it bears.
The first arrivals in the township were the members of the Wells family,
which were numerous. The names found upon the records are Seth
and Polly Wells, Louis, Morris and Bussell, Lucy, Olive and Electra,
who located near the present village and somewhat to the eastward;
following them were John Wadsworth, Richard Peters, Elihn Ward,
who came here in 1824. Charles Peters was the first white child born
in the township, which event occurred on March 17, 1826. Benjamin
Davis was one of the first arrivals and showed his enterprise, public
spirit and consideration for the convenience of his fellows by erecting
a bridge across the River Raisin as early as 1828. Previous to this
communication with the country on the other side of the stream was
by means of a very primitive ferry, established by Richard Peters, The
informality of the inauguration of this important improvement in the
facilities for intercourse between the inhabitants is told by a native of
the town: "You see, we were a good deal put out when we wanted to
visit neighbors on the other side of the Raisin ; because the only way to
do it was to wade across, when the water was low in the summer, cross
on the ice in the winter, and ford the stream in horse and wajron when
we could ; so a few of the men folks went up the stream one day until
they found a big poplar tree about four feet through, and this we felled,
near the stream. It was no fool of a job either, cutting down a four
foot tree about sixty feet high, cutting a log out of it with our axes,
floating the log (about thirty feet long) down to the settlement, and
hollowing it out with our broadaxes, and smoothing it up in shape to
make a very likely looking boat, and this we found mighty sight better
than nothing." This constituted the "ferry," and Richard Peters was
the ferry man, which continued in use for a long time, until the bridge
was built by Mr, Davis,
The first township meeting was held at the house of Morris Wells,
when oiificers were chosen in 18-31. Benjamin Davis being elected super-
visor, and re-elected in 1832 ; in 1834 John B. King was honored by the
choice of his fellow citizens for supervisor, and continued as such for
several terms; others who subsequently represented the township were
James J, Russell, Oliver Rose, Horace Hill, William Corbin, George
Peters, The latter was supervisor for many years, alternating with
James I. Russell in service. D. McLaughlin, H. Camburn, H. C, Mc-
Laughlin, Andrew Spaulding, Charles N, Ellis, and D. D. Van Nocker
have served from 1889 to the present.
Township op Ash
This township was organized out of Frenchtown by an enactment
of the legislature in 1837 and comprised all that part of Frenchtown
which now forms the townships of Ash and Berlin, The soil is produc-
tive and its farms are well tilled, while its grazing lands have afforded
opportunities for raising of cattle and sustaining dairies. In the spring
of 1837 the first township election was held at the house of John M,
Beaubien, the records of the result of this election are not at hand, nor
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HISTOKY OP MONROE COUNTY 485
any up to the year 1842, when Gideon Thomas was chosen supervisor,
Leonard Stoddard assessor; in 1843 Isaac Assyltine was elected; in
1844, Cyrus Post; from 1845 to 1850, Alexander M. Arzeno represented
the township as its supervisor. Since which time data is not to be
obtained.
Township of Exeter
The township of Exeter was originally a part of the township of
Raisinville, but was in 1833 set off to the township of London, and in
1836 formally organized as it remains at the present time.
The first election under this organization was held in April, 1836,
when Gilbert Palmer was elected its first supervisor. The following
year Patrick Corrigan was elected to this office, following whom the
office was held by Moses Bowlsby in 1838 ; Patrick Corrigan in 1839 ;
John Murphy in 1842 and 1843; Luke Dunn in 1844; Lewis Welch in
1845; John Murphy in 1846-1847; Luke Dunn in 1848; Lewis Welch
in 1849, and Bernard Raleigh in 1850. These men at different times
represented the township on the hoard of supervisors for the subsequent
twenty, except when some special issue was involved, such as drainage
or school questions, when a change to some new man sometimes occurred.
The population of the township is approximately 1900.
The township was heavily timbered with elm, oak and other hard
woods which led to the establishment of the charcoal industry of which
an extensive business was done for many years after the railroad had
been built, and facilities existed for transportation of this and other
products to nearby manufacturers.
The village of Maybee, which sprung up as the result of the build-
ing of the railroad and developed into a thriving community, was located
on the Maybee farm, owned by Abram Maybee, and has continued to
thrive under the efforts of its public-spirited citizens.
TowNSiiu" OP Bedford
This township was organized out of the township of Brie, which was
the first settled in the county, and where many respectable and well-
to-do farmers came at an early day to permanently locate. These first
settlements, however, were in the eastern portion, along the shores of
Lake Erie. Among the first that settled in Bedford either before or
after the reorganization was Levi Lewis, at whose house, in May, 1836,
the first election for township officers was held. John Glass was chosen
moderator and Henry Mason clerk. William Dunbar was elected super-
visor and Theodore Osgood town clerk. Three justices of the peace were
elected: Nathan Q. Watkins, Henry Mason and. Sampson Vrooman;
commissioners of highways, Stephen Bradford, William Filkins and
Ebenezer Thornton; school commissioners, Levi Lewis, Jackson Hoag
and John Cumbert. As was the case with Erie township, the first set-
tlers in Bedford were principally Canadian- French, who emigrated from
Quebec and Montreal, of whom Benjamin Soullier was among the first,
and these people proved to be desirable and hospitable families and
good farmers. Absalom Owen is supposed to have been the pioneer
American settler, who built a home on section 4, just within the present
limit of the township in 1820. About two years later a family named
Sibley occupied the same house and carried on trade with the Indians,
selling whisky and other "staples." Their traffic in firewater, more or
less profitable while it lasted, eventually brought trouble. One night a
small band of Indians called and demanded some whisky. Sibley was
either out of the article or refused to let them have any, whereupon they
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486 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
attacked him viciously, stabbing him with their knives. Jirs. Sibley
was coniined to her bed by a serious illness, but arose and walked four
miles through the woods to a neighbor's for assistance. In the meantime
Sibley crawled away in the darkness and hid under the military bridge
aerosB Half- Way Creek, where he was found the following morning by
those who had come to the family's assistance. Though badly wounded,
he recovered, and finding the life in the wilderness too strenuous, the
family soon left. In 1831 Silas Smith came into the township and set-
tled, taking out patents at the Detroit land office and located upon the
farm lately occupied by Owens and Sibley, and built a substantial log
house. This farm has remained in the Smith family since that time.
Those of the early settlers who represented the township on the
board of supervisors are Farley McLouth, David Hungerford, Henry
Mason, Thomas P. Aldrich and many others of the staunch farmers of
the township.
The physical geography of Bedford does not greatly differ from the
other townships lying adjacent; the lands are well drained and under
cultivation; there have been discovered during geological research bog
ore along certain ditches and irregular lumps in the soil having a dull,
earthy luster. It is an impure form of iron oxide which has been located
in several townships in this part of the county; when mixed with con-
siderable clay it is known as yellow ochre, and has. been used as a paint,
though we do not learn that it has ever been utilized for this purpose
to any extent even on farm buildings or fences.
Township op Dundee
Tliis township was organized in 1838 and the first election was held
at the house of Samuel Barber in the spring of that year. It was formed
out of the adjoining township of Summerfield. The first settler in the
new township was Riley IngersoU, who removed to Michigan territory
in 1824 from the state of New York, and bought what was a portion of
the Potter farm, but remained with his wife for a few months at the
home of Richard Peters, during the building of the log house on his
recently purchased land. Captain Richard P. IngersoU, now living, a
highly respected and prominent citizen of the township, son of Riley
IngersoU, was the first white child born in the township. For a few
years he resided at Monroe, conducting a boy's school, afterwards en-
tering commercial pursuits, finally retiring to his farm where he now
In the fall of 1827 the construction of the dam across the Raisin at
Dundee village was commenced, and a saw mill was finished in 1828
and 1829. At the raising, help had to be got at Monroe, Petersburg
and Blissfield. The only houses at Dundee were those of IngersoU and
Wilcox. In 1825 the only road from Monroe to what was afterwards
Dundee, was up the south side of the Raisin, the same as to Petersburg,
where it touched the Raisin opposite Dundee, was a canoe, with which
the river was crossed. On this road the settlers' houses passed were
Gale, Bliss, Burchard, Farewell, Sorter, Dives, Mettez, and several
Frenchmen, whose names are not now recalled. The turnpike from La
Plaisance to and through Dundee was laid out in 1832, and the bridge
timber across the river at the latter place was got out prior to that as
work of private individuals.
A valuable limestone for building material and lime is found in
Dundee, an extensive quarry once owned by the late Senator Christiancy
having been operated for many years. Its marked geological formations
have been noted in the geological reports by Hon. W. H. Sherzer to the
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IIISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 487
state department. The thickness of the formation is partieulariy men-
tioned. In Ohio the total thickness is six hundred feet ; at the Dundee
borings it is one thousand feet. Prof. Sherzer says; "In Michigan the
Dundee forms the base of the great Devonian system, sharply separated
by its fossil contents from the uppermost Silurian beds. One charac-
teristic is noted, in that there are no traces in the Dundee limestones of
a vertebrate, whereas in the (juarries of the Sibly location the spines
and teeth of fishes are not infrequently found."
[In our chapter on the "Geology of Monroe County" much interest-
ing data and information may be obtained which is entirely reliable,
being based upon the exhaustive reports published by the Geological Sur-
vey of Michigan, Alfred C. Lane, state geologist.]
The records show that the first land entry for a homestead was by
one William H. Remington on the 23d of July, 1823, who settled there
in that year. The other well-known pioneers into this hardwootl forest
wilderness were Samuel Jenner, Nat. Richmond, Geo. Wilcox, Samuel
Barber, Riley Ingersoll, Mart, Smith, Heman Spaulding, Justus and
Charles Jermain, Enos Kent, Ira Irons, Geo. Pettingill, William Verdon,
Sam Rankin and Walter Burgess.
The first post office of which there is any record was named Winfield
and its postmaster was William IMontgomery, who also furnished the
accommodations for transacting the postal business of the government
at that point in his own dwelling. It is to be presumed that Mr. Mont-
gomery was not obliged to work overtime nor on holidays in the dis-
charge of his duties.
Alonzo Curtis was the next incumbent, who resided in the village
and who promptly removed the office thither, and gave it the name it
has since carried. In the stage coach days the mail was supposed to
arrive weekly, but the residents found themselves fortunate if it reached
them as often as that, especially in the spring, when the turnpike and
less traveled roads were practically impassable. The completion of rail-
roads has changed this and regular daily mails keep them in touch with
the world, besides which, telegraph and telephone lines complete the
facilities enjoyed.
The early schools were primitive, as they were everywhere in those
far-away times. The schoolhouses were built of logs, and the first one
in Dundee was built in 1834 or '35, where the Pulver wagon shop after-
wards was erected. A frame building replaced the log structure after
its destrnction by fire, and better facilities were enjoyed by the children
of the village and adjacent neighborhoods. An old resident remembers
the names of some of the pedagogues and kindly furnishes them, as
follows: Doctor Bassford, John Montgomery, Wm. Parker, Junius Til-
den, H. Townsend. H. Watling, interspersed with those of such com-
petent women as Rebecca Whitman, Emily Jenney and Mrs. Jas. White.
Such is the substantial growth of this intelligent community that there
are now upwards of sixteen hundred children attending the schools in
the township, which number more than a dozen commodious buildings.
The churches are mentioned in a separate chapter. The Ann Arbor
Railroad affords favorable transportation facilities, which will soon be
supplemented by an electric line from Toledo to Lansing. A water
power at Dundee is utilized for flour mills, beet sugar factory and
smaller enterprises, supported by a rich and thriving farming popula-
tion. The village is well paved and electrically lighted.
Township of Raisin ville
The first supervisor elected in the township of Raisinville was Riley
Ingersoll, one of its first settlers, in 1823. Since that time the bound-
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488 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
aries of the township have undergone several changes, as other town-
ships have been organized out of its original territory. It has been
represented on the county board of supervisors by some of its ablest
and best citizens. The following names are those of officials prominent
in the affairs of the township : Samuel Atkinson, Richard Metty, Cyrus
Everett, Norman D. Curtis, Win. H. Montgomery, George Youngiove,
John Wadsworth, Robert Talford, John B. King, Franklin Moses, Sam-
uel McPetridge, Charles II. Pitts, Myron H. Frost, Geo. B. DeLong,
W. H. Gibson, John L. Hunter, H. Kimerling and Goodrich Baldwin.
The present supervisor is F. W, Garwick.
Township of Ida
This township wa,s organised iu 1837 by taking a portion of Raisiu-
ville, Dundee and Summerfield, giving in geographical area a perfectly
square form of thirty-six sections, there being, besides this, but six town-
ships so arranged. It is watered by small streams flowing into and form-
ing Otter Creek, which empties into Lake Erie in La Salle township.
The first settlers were mostly from the eastern and middle states, and
all farmers. The names of these were in part George Willard, Chauncy
Owen, Joseph Gregory, Anthony Briggs, Mathew Fredenburg, Alonzo
Durrin, Wm. Richardson, Josiah Kellogg, David Brainard, John Camp-
bell, John W. Talbot, the latter being of the family of Talbots who
were large manufacturers in New England, and all of them people of
excellent character. Others followed rapidly and a fine community of
practical agriculturists was built up.
The supervisors who represented the township in the county legisla-
ture were men of sound judgment and conservative methods, such as
Peter K. Zacharias, Wm. L. Eiggs, Nathaniel Langdon and Wesley
Conant. The first township election was held at the residence of Thomas
S. Clarke, when Hiram Carney was elected the first supervisor. The
name of Simeon Van Aiken often occurs in the records as a representa-
tive man of the township. There are two postoffices, one at Ida village,
Emma M. Snell, postmistress, and the other at Lulu, of which Andrew
Schultz is postmaster. The geological features in Ida are not important,
though stone quarries exist at several points from which building stone
and lime are obtained, in sections 19, 20 and 21 there is, according to
the geological department surveys of 1900, a deepening of the rock,
elsewhere quite thin; the soil is somewhat sandy and there are belts of
loam which pursue an eccentric course in a northeast and southwest
direction ; in some eases the soil vanishes entirely, exposing the bedrock.
In the deep well at Ida forty-five feet of sand roek was penetrated. The
greater breadth of the belt of Sand Roek at Ida in the eastern portion
does not seem to be due to increased thickness, but rather to the posi-
tions of the beds. (Reference is made to the chapter of Geology of Mon-
roe County.)
In the early days of the township it was reckoned by sportsmen and
woodsmen of Monroe as one of the greatest deer hunting regions in the
state, and the great woods were often the scene of many hunters' cabins,
through the late fall and winter, where parties from the city would
resort for weeks at a time and pack out fine specimens of "antlered
buck" and not unseldom a bear or wildcat.
The village of Ida is located in the extreme northwestern portion of
the township and contains a population of several hundred, with good
schools and quite a respectable number of mercantile institutions, with
a station of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad (branch
from Monroe to Adrian), with telegraph and telephone facilities.
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 489
Township of Milan
In 1836 the township of Milan was formed by appropriating a por-
tion of London. Other mutations of boundaries had preceded, having
been previously a part of Haisinville until Summeriield was organized
and belonged to the latter until 1833, when it was attached to London.
Upon its organization in 1836 it took along a portion of the London
territory.
The official records of these changes and of its final organization
are not to be found, nor of its elections, until 1842, when the election
of John Bpaulding as supervisor occurred. Other early supervisors are
Daniel Kelsey, Noble S. Squires, David A. Woodward, Harmon Allen.
The latter was often re-elected and his popularity as a safe man was
manifested by his election to the state legislature. The post office at
Cone is presided over by Mr. F. B. Raymond. The Wabash Railroad
passes through the township in a northeasterly and southwesterly direc-
tion and has a station in the village of Milan, which also maintains a
very creditable weekly paper.
The early history of Milan begins about the year 1833, when a post
office called Tolanville was established and Bethuel Hack was appointed
postmaster, who was succeeded in 1834 by D. A. Woodward. In this
year the name of the post office was changed to Milan, but still preserv-
ing its old name of Tolanville by unanimous custom of its patrons until
an official order by the postmaster general finally settled the question of
nomenclature and Milan was thereby declared to be the legal name.
The first strictly denominational church was established by the lay-
ing of the cornerstone of the M. E. Memorial church in 1888 by Rev.
M. H, Bartram, minister at the time. Previous to this services by vari-
ous denominations were held in the schoolhouses or in private dwell-
ings or vacant store buildings.
The post office formerly called West Milan was changed to Cone in
1880 for the reason that the station of the "Wabnsh Railroad was given
the latter name in honor of John C. Cone, who was the postmaster.
The Macon river passes through Itlilan township from the extreme
northwest corner to the southeast corner, through the northeast corner
of the township. Touching but three sections is the Saline river; south
of the Macon is Bear creek, and between the latter two is the big Cen-
tral drain, all pouring their waters into the River Raisin at points in
Dundee and Raisinville townships.
The Great Macon Drain
By far the most expensive and important drainage undertaking in
w'hich Jlonroe county has been even partially interested is the great
Macon drain, which, however, concerns Lenawee county, north of Mon-
roe county more intimately, and will require a year's time and $85,000
in money to complete. Milan is the only township touched by this
drain. The contracts for construction work were divided into four par-
cels and let to the lowest bidders as follows :
Section 1 of the dredging job, extending through seven-eighths of a
mile of rock, back from the outlet, to Horace Pulver of Dundee ; price,
$24,000.
Section 2, extending through the remaining eight and three-eighth
miles of soil to the head of the drain, to Ed. Bodette of Toledo; price,
$34,700.
Two new bridges and abutments, to Wynkoop & McGormley of To-
ledo; price, $4,000.
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490 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Underpimiing and pointing seven old bridges, to the Beaeli Manu-
facturing Company of Charlotte, Mich. ; price, $3,425.
The bidding was very fair, considering the fact that the court injunc-
tion had made the selling of contracts an uncertainty until late Monday
afternoon. Commissioner Sloan first asked for bids on the entire job.
One only was forthcoming, and that at $100,000.
The next call was for bids on the entire dredging job complete. One
contractor started at $90,000, and this was gradually worked down to
$74,000. The final call was for bids on sections of the drain, the job
being so separated as to include in the first the seven-eighths of a mile
of rock ground at the outlet of the drain in Monroe, which appeared to
be the biggest terror to the contractors. Section one started at $38,000
and went at $24,000, proving a big surprise, as it was thought that there
would be several bids under it. Section 2 was worked down to $38,000
from the first bid of $40,000.
Bidding on the new bridge contract started at $4,400 and on the
underpinning job at $3,800, and were gradually worked down to the
sale price.
That the construction work will take longer than was originally esti-
mated is the opinion gained from the demands of the contractors, who
ask for a year in which to complete their work. Commissioner Sloan
was desirous of getting the contracts to read for completion January 1,
but was forced to accede to the demands for a longer period. A good
share of the time will be consumed in getting the dredging machinery
in operation, and it is not thought the heavy excavation work can be
begun much inside of sixty days, although every effort will be made to
get at it as soon as possible.
The eight miles of digging from the head of the drain will be done
with a big floating dredge which will be built in at the head of the
drain near the county line. It is intended at the present time to do all
of the work west of the county line, which extends over some thirty
rods, with teams.
The religious denominations in "West Milan are represented by
churches established as far back as 1846, when Rev. Pierce Smothers
organized a Catholic church which was attached to the Ypsilanti parish.
The church building was begun in 1848 and a large congregation wor-
shipped there until an addition to it was built in 1855. The Methodist
Episcopal church was organized in 1866 by Rev. Thomas Lipton and
services conducted in the schoolhouse until 1867, when a church was
erected and dedicated in 1868 by Elder L. H. Dean. The village of "West
Milan is in the two counties of Monroe and "Washtenaw, the dividing line
passing through the center of the village which was incorporated in
March, 1855.
Township op London
This township was, until 1833, included within the boundaries of
Summerfield, as were the present townships of Exeter and Milan. In
that year a reoi^anization took place and London was set off as a sep-
arate township. Its northern line adjoins Washtenaw county, and its
eastern and western boundaries being the townships of Exeter and
Milan, with Dundee and Raisinville on the south.
The first township meeting was held April 1, 1833, at the house of
Abraham Hayack, when the following officers were elected : Cyrus
Everett, supervisor; Henry Chittenden, clerk; Wm. E. Marvin, John C.
Sterling and Samuel Nichols, assessors; Abram Hayack, treasurer;
John C. Sterling and Samuel Nichols and Bethuel Hack, commissioners
of schools and overseers of highways.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 491
One of the important transactions of this meeting was the adoption
of the rule that "all swine weighing less than sixty pounds each shall
not be permitted to run at large, without a good and sufficient poke."
Many prosperous and intelligent farmers were among the residents
of this township, and were honored by the choice of the voters to repre-
sentative offices, Cyrus Everett, Eleazer Barnes, R. E. Whiting, Wm.
E. Bradford being well known and respected examples. Mr. Barnes
served as supervisor in 1843, 1845, 1846, 1849 and 1850. Albert Bond,
Thomas C. Howard, Michael Gramliek being supervisors for many
years. At the present time P. C. Howard represents the township.
The reports of the Geological Surv'cy on Monroe county state in regard
to London and contiguous territory, that is, Petersburg, Dundee and on
the Macon, concerning the quaternary age, of deposits (unteehnically,
gravels and small stones in groups or bunches of four). "Beds of
gravel are found in section 9, in Milan, about three feet in depth, over-
lain by thirteen feet of clay. Eastward in London, section 20, a fifty-
foot depth. In Summerfield reports of similar reports of gravel strata ;
these gravel pits were often abandoned because the holes could not be
kept clean. A very good supply and quality of water was obtained at
the place of T. BL Taft. At John Long's place coarse gravel was reached
at a depth of fifty-three feet.
WlIITEFORD TOVlfNSHIP
This township was formerly embraced within the boundaries of Port
Lawrence and Erie. In 1834 it was organized as a separate township
at a meeting of the qualified voters held at the house of William Wil-
son, on the 7th of April, its location being at "the forks," as it was
called, now the village of Sylvania just over the present Ohio line, and
which at the time of the controversy over the disputed territory, was
in the midst of the excitement attending the "Toledo war," in which
Gen, David White, the first settler, participated, patriotically upholding
the claims and the measures of Michigan. He was elected the first
supervisor of the township which was named in his honor; he was also
elected to the offices of assessor, director of the poor, etc. Other promi-
nent farmers who were active in promoting the interests of the township
were Wm. M. White, Wm. Wilson, Frederick Leonardson, Elisha Cor-
ban, Joseph Titsworth, Sam. Randall. Adam Gardner, James Egnew,
P. M. Jeffers. At the first general election, in the fall of 1835, to
organize a state government, thirty-two votes were cast for Stevens T.
Mason for governor, this being the whole number of voters at that
time.
Warren Burnham, Liba Allen. Wm. Bancroft, Sylvester R. Hath-
away and Caius Candee were supervisors for several years up to 1850.
The family of Mr. Candep came to the county in 1833 and settled in
that portion which became Whiteford. They built a house of saplings,
with elm bark for a roof, with a chimney of "mud and sticks," in which
they lived for a long time in this primitive manner until better accom-
modations could be secured, meanwhile planting a few potatoes and
■some buckwheat, contending mth almost incredible difficulties and hard-
ships, experiencing probably a little more than the average pioneers'
trials. The present supervisor is Henry J. Beck of Ottawa Lake.
Township of Mo^'ROE
When the first five townships in the county were organized under
the legislative act of 1827 the boundaries of Monroe township were not
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492 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
changed, except that in the reorganization they included all that portion
of the present city of Monroe, lying south of the River Raisin, and so
continued until 1848, in which year the city was set oif hy itself, its
south boundary line being at Ninth street, or what would be Ninth
, street if such street was opened.
Its first settlers were, of course, mainly French, and their "abita-
iions" the same class of log houses that were built at that time, although
some of them were clapboarded and kept neatly whitewashed. There
are not now more than one or two in existence. The La Plaisance Bay
settlement contained a larger number of these primitive dwellings than
any other neighborhood collection, and presented a picturesque group-
ing of the early homes.
The iirst election was held at the old court house in the village of
Monroe on May 28, 1827, when there were cast for township officers
fifty-two votes, Samuel Choaie receiving forty-nine for supervisor, Ed-
ward D. Ellis fifty for elei:k, and forty-eight each for Jeremiah Law-
rence, Joseph G. Navarre and Samuel Stone for assessors ; Hiram Brown,
Daniel MulhoUen and Samuel H. Gale, commissioners; George Alford
and Wm. P. Gale, overseers of the poor; Ethel Burch and James Mc-
Mannus, constables, and James McMannus, collector.
Samuel Choate was re-elected supervisor in 1828; Walter Colton in
1829 and 1830; Daniel S. Bacon in 1831 ; Luther Harvey in 1832 and
1833; Edward D. Ellis in 1834; Peter P. Ferry in 1836; Nathan Hubble
in 1842 ; Gershon T. Bulkley in 1843 and 1844 ; Norman D. Curtis, in
1845. Gershom T. Bulkley in 1846; N. D. Curtis in 1847; Emerson
Choate in 1848 and 1849, and Joseph G. Navarre in 1850.
La Salle Township
This is one of the earliest settlements in the county and contem-
poraneous with Monroe, and the other settlements along the River Rai-
sin. The farms were generally located along other creeks extending
eastward to the lake. There were twenty-two families here in 1794, but
no organization as a township took place until 1830, when a portion of
Erie was set off. There were additions of several American families
from Ohio and Pennsylvania during the next ten years after its organ-
ization and the "Otter Creek Settlement" gradually increased, and
schools were established. The soil is productive and the farmers are in
good circumstances. The First Presbyterian church and Sunday school
was organized in 1844, by families who had previously been members
of the Presbyterian church of Monroe, who found it more convenient
to have a house of worship in their own community.
At the first township election, held July 1, 1830, at the house of
Antoine La Fountain, Francis Charter was elected supervisor and
Charles Villette township clerk. Mr. Charter was thereafter elected
supervisor for several years, and Mr. Villette as clerk each year during
more than forty years. Samuel M. Bartlett, Lucien B. Miller, Dennis
Sharkey, Orrin Leonard, John G. Kiehl, Peter Dusseau, Neal O'Connor,
James Gilday, Chas. E. Kirby, Lewis Darrah were among residents of
the township who were honored by the choice of their fellow citizens for
township officers. At the present time Alfred H. Gilday is supervisor.
The geological features of this township present no marked charac-
teristics, differing from those found in adjoining townships noted in the
chapter on Geology of Monroe County, printed in this volume.
Township op Berlin
This township was formerly a part of Ash, which in 1837 was organ-
ized out of Frenehtown and became an independent township when it
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 493
was organized out of Asli in 1867. Upon its first election in 1868, Hon.
Jolin Strong was chosen eupervisor. The latter is a most public-spirited
citizen whose residence and business interests of large magnitude are
located in South Rockwood and comprise a large flouring mill, stave
mill, extensive general store occupying a two-story brick block and filled
with a very large stock of general merchandise, and in the second story
a, large public hall for the convenience of the public. Two steam rail-
road tines pass through the village, the Lake Shore and Michigan South-
ern, and Michigan Central Railroads, and the electric suburban of the
Detroit United Short Line, between Detroit, Monroe and Toledo, afford-
ing ample transportation facilities. A tasteful and substantial brick
church (undenominational) was built by the generosity of Mr. Strong
for his fellow residents in the village. Newport is a thriving village
also in this township, with an enterprising community, supplied with
manufacturing and mercantile houses, which have had a uniformly
prosperous career, a Methodist, Congregational and Catholic church,
two hotels and two railroad stations, and the station of the Detroit, Mon-
roe and Toledo Electric Railroad.
The geological features in this neighborhood center in the limestone
quarries, which at this point are rieh in building stone, lime and road
metal. A large stone crusher was operated here for many years. The
supervisor of the township is Prank W. Partlan of Newport.
The first settlers in the township were William "White and Louis Le
Due. The former settled on a farm one mile east of the present villaKC
of Newport, and for many years was the enterprising and somewhat
eccentric proprietor of a hotel and general store. When the Detroit.
Monroe and Toledo Railroad was built the line passed Mr. White by, —
choosing a route westerly, where a village sprung up and the station
named Newport also. To avoid confusion the name of the first town
was changed to Old Port and so remains. One of the largest Catholic
churches in the county is located here.
Township of Erie
This was one of the first five organized in Monroe county under the
act of Congress in 1827, which by act of the legislative council, com-
prised all that part of the county of Monroe south of the south line of
Monroe township and east of the east line of the townsliip of Raisin-
ville, bounded on the south by township No. 8, south of the base line,
and including ranges 6, 7 and 8 east of the meridian. It was provided
that tlie tirst election should be held at the house of Francis Cousineau.
Thus the township included within its specified boundaries all of the
present townships of Erie, Bedford, La Salle, except a strip of about a
half mile in width lying between the present Ohio line and the soutli
line of township No. 8 ; this by the same act was to constitute the town-
ship of Port Lawrence; as before stated was in the "disputed terri-
tory;"— in this position the geographical lines remained until after
the "Toledo War," after which this strip was attached to the town-
ships lying north of it in Michigan. Father Gabriel Richard was a
power politically as well as religiously at that time, and his nomination
to anv oiBee was equivalent to his election, and it so occurred that the
election for delegate to Congress, being held in the territory on July 9,
Father Richard received one hundred and fourteen votes, in the town-
ship, while his opponents, Austin E. Wing of Monroe, received five, and
John Biddle one. This remarkable result is explained by the fact that
the population was French Catholip and Richard was the priest.
The township was largely French Canadian at that time, and their
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494 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
descendants are among the most industrious farmers and merchants ol"
the township. Intermarriage with American families and the establish-
ment of public schools has changed the former characteristics of the
inhabitants very much, and the French language is seldom heard.
The first supervisor, elected in the spring of 1827, was Levi Collier,
who died during the year, and Antoine La Fountain was elected to fill
the vacancy. John Mulfes was elected for the year 1828 ; James Cornell
for 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834 and 1835. July 21, 1828, some
of the inhabitants of Erie appeared before the board and represented
that in consequence of a freshet in the spring, their crops were so nearly
destroyed that they could not pay eighty dollars, ordered to he raised
for roads and bridges, and the board repealed the order. From 1838 to
1842 there were no supervisors, their duties being performed by county
commissioners. The township of Erie elected James Mulhollen super-
visor in 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845 and 1846; Lewis B. Bailey in 1847, 1848
and 184!) ; Samuel Mulhollen in 1850.
Township Supervisoks (1912)
Following are the supcj'visors from townships of Monroe county in
1912 with their post office addresses :
Ash — Henry C Hood, Carleton, Mich.
Bedford — Ira B. Osbom, Samaria, R. P. D. 1.
Berlin — Frank W. Partlue, Newport.
Dundee — V, C. Brewer, Dundee.
Erie— S. S. La Pointe, Erie.
Exeter— Wm. H. Heiss, Monroe, R. F. D. 5.
Frenchtown — Paul Laduke, Steiner.
Ida— Jas. H. Todd, Ida.
La Salle— Alfred H. Gilday, La Salle.
London— T. C. Howard, Milan, E. F. D. 5.
Milan — Say re W. Reeves, Milan.
Monroe town — Herman Roeder, Monroe.
Raisinviile — F, W. Gerweck, Monroe, R. F. T>. 1.
Summerfield — Jas. R. Faunce, Petersburg.
Whiteford — Henry J. Beck, Ottawa Lake.
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CHAPTER XXXIX
PIONEER DOMESTIC LIFE
Sugar Making by Indians and Pioneers — Old- Time Domestic Hearth
— Cook Stove as a Cueio — Lights — Wives JIaking Their Own
C.indij:s — Tin Lami-s Evolved — BIakino Soft Soap — Basket Mak-
ing BY THE Indians— True Medicine Mkn — Wool and Homespun
Cloth — New Year's Calls in 1836.
The Indians manufactured maple sugar in a very crude way, and
it may be readily conceived that their product was not taken with
avidity by those who were familiar with their disregard of cleanliness.
Nevertheless, they managed to dispose of quantities of the question-
able sweet. The favorite form for marketing the sugar was in small
containers of birch bark, ornamented with colored porcupine quills,
which caught the eye of white children and found a ready sale in the
settlements. These packages were called "mocoeks" and contained
about a quarter or half a pound of sugar, which were peddled from
house to house by the squaws and their children. It is not known
whether the early white inhabitants learned the process of sugar mak-
ing from the Indians, or the Indians from them. Probably the white
men tx)ok the hint from their red brothers, and evolved their own proc-
ess. In pioneer days maple sugar was manufactured as a necessity
rather than as an article of luxury. "Boughten" sugar was not used
commonly, as it was expensive and not always easy to obtain, so the
maple tree was made to furnish the domestic sweetening. The appli-
ances in the early days for the manufacture of maple sugar were very
different from those employed at the present day, and the product itself
as much so, dark in color, gritty and uninviting. It is said that when
the tirst evaporated maple sugar was put on the market certain western
dealers refused to buy it on the ground that it was not genuine, but
were fully satisfied with the blackjack or "settlings" that were boiled
down and sent to them.
Suo.vK Making by Indians and Pioneers
The Indians tapped the trees by cutting a V-shaped notch in each
tree with their hatchets and inserting a hollow chip to conduct the sap
into some vessel below. In time this notching process killed the tree,
which the more intelligent early settler observed, and obtained better
results by boring holes in the trees with an augur, inserting elder wood
spiles, upon which were hung the pails for receiving the flowing sap.
They also made troughs by euftinp logs three or four feet long, split-
ting them in half, and hollowing them out with an ax, which would
hold three or four gallons. The sap was conveyed to the boiling places
in buckets, which were made to taper upwards from the bottom, instead
of the opposite form. These were obtained from the country cooper
495
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496 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
shop. They were sometimes carried in pairs suspended from a "yoke"
placed across the shoulders.
The whole procedure was crude and laborious ; much sap was wasted
and almost all of it was liberally mixed with dirt and leaves. The boil-
ing down was accomplished in large iron kettles, holding from twenty
to forty gallons each. A crotched stick was driven solidly into the
ground, projecting three or four feet above it; into the crotch was laid
a long hickory sapling, one end projecting a few feet beyond its sup-
port; upon this, at the short end, was hung by a chain the huge kettle,
resembling on a smaller scale the old-fashioned well-sweep and "moss-
covered bucket that hung in the well."
The long arm of the hickory sapling being used for swinging the
kettle on and off the fire. Into this kettle was poured the sap, with its
accumulation of leaves, twigs and dirt of various kinds, some of which
w^ removed by shallow gourds, when the sap had reached the boiling
point. At the proper time the kettles of molasses were removed to a
nearby shed, where they were hung on poles resting at each end on
crotched sticks.
In some instances a crude stone arch would be constructed in the
hillside for the boiling process, but this was far more awkward than
the other, when the long stout sapling was made to save the painful
labor of moving the large kettles. The modem "maple sugar bush"
and its convenient, sanitary and scientitie method of making sugar is a
most interesting and pleasant place to visit where the business is car-
ried on on a very extensive scale and free from the objectionable fea-
tures of the early days.
Old-Time Domestic Heakth
The household arrangements and the conveniences for dispatching
the domestic duties of the housewife were, as may be supposed, of the
most simple form and crude design for the purpose. It must be re-
membered that heat and light were to be provided only in the most
primitive way, and many of the articles of doinestic use improvised from
materials most easily obtained. These were bought in the village shop
or of the peddler who made his infre(|uent visits to the settlements and
were treasured with great care.
Perhaps the most prized of all the outfitting of the pioneers' kitchen
were the great iron pots and the copper kettles, because they were the
most used and the most difficult to obtain. The great iron pots would
sometimes reach a capacity of ten to twenty gallons each and a weight
of forty or fifty pounds. These were usually kept hanging in the fire-
place, suspended by chains from the heavy iron "cranes" that swung
from the side.
All the vegetables were boiled together in these huge pots, unless
some, fastidious housewife had provided a potato boiler of wire, whereby
any single vegetable could be cooked within the vast genera! receptacle.
Over the fireplace and across the joists of the ceiling were long poles,
on which hung strings of peppers, drying apples and rings of boiled
pumpkin, and the favorite resting place for the old muskef or rifle was
on the hooks over the kitchen fireplace. Tin utensils were rare and
seldom seen. Dutch ovens, however, had a place in the culinary proc-
esses, in which were roasted great rounds of beef or fowls; this con-
trivance was a tin or sheet iron box-like affair, with one side open,
which was se't upon the hearth before the great pile of glowing coals
and watched with care, while the cooking process proceeded, which is
still considered by old experienced chefs the really perfect method of
roasting meats and poultry, especially large turkeys and geese.
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Cook Stove as a Curio
The first stoves seen in the west were of various patterns. One of
these, a cook stove, has lately been exhibited as a curio. It sat upon
high legs and the top, separate from the body of the stove, had the
usual complement of pot holes and was made to revolve horizontally
by means of a crank, thereby bringing the pots and kettles alternately
over the firebox of the stove. Although it saved the back-breaking
efforts of removing the kettles from one place on the stove to another,
the thing was not popular and soon disappeared. The kitchen, with
its huge fireplace, was the most comfortable room in the house during
the long winters, because it was the only one where a fire was made and
kept continually burning and the deep recesses at each side of the fire-
places were the favorite seats of the children of the household.
In Whittier's "Snow Bound" is to be found the truest picture of
the old-time fireside :
"Shut ill from all the world without.
We sat the clean swept hearth about.
Content to let the north wind roar
In baffled rage at pane and door,
While the red logs before us beat
The frost line back with tropic heat;
And even when a louder blast
Shook beam and rafter as it passed,
The merrier up its roaring draught,
The great throat of the chimney laughed.
The house dog on his paws outspread
Laid to the tire his drowsy head.
And for the winter fireside meet
Between the andirons straddling feet
The mug of cider simmered slow.
And apples sputtered in a row.
And, close at hand, the basket stood
With nuts from brown October's wood.
What matter how the night behaved!
What matter how the north wind raved!
Blow high, blow low, not all the snow
Could quench the hearth fire's ruddy glow,"
Nor can the passing of years dim the ruddy glow of that hearth fire,
nor the charm of the poem.
Lights
The question of artificial light after darkness had settled down upon
the wilderness country was an important consideration of comfort as
well as of expense, when "every penny counted." The single tallow
dip was frugally extinguished long before bedtime and the family de-
pended upon the blazing fire in the big fireplace. Where pine knots of
the fat pitch-pine could be had, they were hoarded for the evening
illumination of the common room of the settler, and a very charming
illumination it was.
Tallow dips were the alternative. The making of the winter's stock
of candles was one of the special household duties of the autumn
months and no light one at that; for the great iron kettles in which the
tallow was "tried out" were heavy to handle.
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498 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
"Wives Making Theib Own Candi.es
In an ancient volume of the sixteenth century, entitled "Directions
to Housewives," Thomas Tusser, the author, enjoins:
"Wife, make thine own candle
Spare penny to handle.
Provide for thy tallow ere frost cometh in,
And make thine own candles ere winter begin. ' '
The process of preparing the tallow candle of our ancestors is
described as follows: "An early hour found the work tinder way. A
good fire was started in the kitchen fireplace, under two large kettles,
which hung on trammels from the long iron crane and half filled with
boiling water and melting tallow, which had had two sealdings and
skimmings. At the end of the kitchen, or in an adjoining or cooler
room, sometimes in the lean-to, two long poles were laid from chair to
chair, or bench to bench ; across these poles were placed at regular
intervals, like the rounds of a ladder, smaller sticks about fifteen or
eighteen inches long, called candle rods. These poles and rods were
kept from year to year, stored away in garret or on the kitchen beams.
To each candle rod was attached about a dozen or less carefully straight-
ened candle wicks; these were made by twisting the strands of wick-
ing strongly one way, then doubled ; then the loop was slipped over the
candle rod, where the two ends, of course, twisted both ways, forming a
firm wick for the candle. A rod, with its row of suspended wicks, would
be then dipped into the melted tallow, absorb as much tallow as it
would, then returned to its place on the poles. Each row would be put
through these motions and allowed time to cool or harden, between dips,
and gradually grow in size by the adhesion of the tallow until a candle
of the proper size was formed. If allowed to cool quickly they grew
more rapidly, but this produced a tendency to become brittle and crack.
Hence a good worker dipped slowly to avoid these faults. With circum-
stances favorable, two hundred candles could be dipped in a day. Some
deft handlers could dip two rods at a time. Of course, during this occu-
pation the white snowy floors were covered by large sheets of paper to
protect them from the dripping tallow."
Candles were also made in molds by pouring into groups of metal
cylinders of the right size the melted tallow, in the center of each of
these small cylinders having been suspended a twisted wick. Candles
made in this way were inferior to the dipped ones because the latter
were more solid and would last nearly twice as long as those moulded.
At one time itinerant candle-makers went from house to house taking
charge of the candle-making in the household and carrying large candle
moulds with them.
Tin IjAmps Evoi,\'Ed
Lamps of tin and pewter followed, in which was burned lard oil or
fish oil. They were operated without' chimneys and were a smoky, ill-
smelling device. The evolution from these primitive lighting methods
was slow, and experiments were many and disappointing in the effort
to obtain something more satisfactory.
Making Soft Soap
Perhaps the most disagreeable and trying of the domestic duties
that fell to the housewife was the burdensome task of making soap for
home use.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 499
No old dame who passed through the trying scenes of pioneering can
be found who will recall without a clouded brow and unreliahed remem-
brance the days when soap making was required. A brief description
utterly fails to do justice to the subject.
AI! the refuse grease from the butchering, cooking, etc., was stored
through the winter, as well as all the wood ashes from the great fire-
places. The first operation was to make the lye, to "set the leach."
This was a strong barrel, or a substitute made from a section of a hollow
log, the bottom of which was bored with an inch augur, over which a
layer of wheat straw would be laid on top of a few parallel sticks. The
barrel was then placed on a stone or wood base a foot or two from the
ground and then filled with the wood ashes; water would then be poured
into the barrel until the resulting lye triiiled out through a sufficient
outlet into a small wooden tub or a bucket ; when the lye grew too weak
more fresh ashes were added to the leach. Much depended upon this
condition. One of the old recipes cut from an 1836 almanac declares
that:
"The great difficulty in making Soap 'come' is the want of judg-
ment of the strength of the Lye. If your Lye will bear up an Egg or a
Potato, so you can see a piece as big as a Ninepence on the Surface, it is
just Strong enough."
The grease and lye were then boiled together in a great kettle over
a fire out of doors. The general requirements of material for a barrel
of soap were about six bushels of ashes and twenty-four pounds of
grease. The soft soap made by this process looked like a clean jelly and
showed no trace of the grease that helped to form it. This soap was used
for all household purposes and answered well enough.
Basket Making by the Indians
The Indians were not crazy for soap, and cared so little for it that
they were never known to make any, or to use it. Their only vocation
was basket making and to a limited extent manufacturing moccasins
or other articles from buckskin, the deer skins being tanned by them
with great skill, generally by the "smoke process," and the leather
when finished was as soft and pliable as velvet, being in great demand
by hunters for jackets, leggins and moccasins, which were deemed the
most appropriate, useful and durable articles of apparel ever worn
by men in active outdoor life. Basket weaving was the most picturesque
occupation of the Indians, in which the squaws excelled in producing
all manner and shapes and sizes, many of their productions being beau-
tifully dyed and colored by vegetable dyes, the foundations of which
they found in the forests. This occupation is still followed by tribes
living in the northern part of the state, and in the Canadian provinces
of Quebec and Ontario.
The men never troubled themselves to learn anything that savored
of bodily exertion, hunting and trapping serving their purposes and
inclinations. It is true that they would condescend occasionally to make
a birch bark canoe, or a dug-out, in which they were very expert, hut
as one of these boats would last a lifetime, they were not kno\vn to devote
much of their worthless time to this work. To make a dug-out of fair
size they would devote three or four weeks.
True JIedicine Men
All Indians, everywhere, on account of their wild life in the woods
and familiarity with every sort of shrub, tree and herb, were expert
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500 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
in concocting remedies for all human ailments, and many of them
through these discoveries by the Indiana have come to have an impoj'tant
place in modern pharmacology. Black sage, wild sage and swamp bay
are three of the wild plants from which the United States Bureau of
Plant Industry has distilled aromatic oils of considerable importance.
The kimiakinic of the Indians was early used as a substitute for tobacco
or mised with it for smoking, which was a universal habit with them. It
has a not unpleasant aroma, and became popular with the French set-
tlers along the River Raisin.
Wool, and Homespun Cloth
Sheep raising was not by any means common, hut the pioneers who
came hither from the eastern provinces of Canada, along the St. Law-
rence river, brought with them industrious habits and some love of
agriculture, which in their former homes made them respected resi-
dents; they raised sheep to some extent, and what wool they did not
sell to the dealers they spun and wove into clothing for themselves and
their families.
The homespun cloth of the habitants today is very popular, and is
worn by people who wisely prefer it to the more showy fabrics from the
modern factories.
New Year's Calls in 1836
One of the pleasant customs of the old pioneer days and which,
happily, continued for half a century, hut are now obsolete, was that
of celebrating the advent of a new year by making the day an occasion
for exchanging civilities and the opportunity for paying visits to friends
whom they seldom saw except on that festive day.
Nearly every home of the principal citizens of the cities and villages
were hospitably thrown open to callers, who were welcomed with that
genuine, hearty hospitality which certainly went far to promote a
friendly intercourse among the people and the frec|uent arrivals from
the east. In the proper observance of the customs of the day Monroe
was celebrated for the most acceptable manner, and the lavish hospi-
tality which characterized these annual periods of renewed good fellow-
ship.
In many of the mansions of Monroe, it is remembered, great tables
were laden with collations comprising everything that could tempt the
appetite or appeal to the tastes of the guests, who were no doubt often
lured beyond the bounds of prudence by the multitude of good things
served by fair hands, repeated at frequent intervals, when the calls came
close together. It was quite the proper and enjoyable thing for a party
of four or five or less to make the rounds of their friends' homes in a
fine roomy sleigh or cutter filled with robes and blankets and drawn by
two or four fine horses, whose "sweet silvery bells" made unmatchable
music in the sharp winter air. Usually the evening was devoted to the
enjoyment of a public or private "dance" and many of these gay enter-
tainments have been witnessed in the old "Exchange" or later at the
"Humphry House," continuing along through later years to "Strong's
Hotel," and still later to the present "Park Hotel," where the young
people continue to resort not alone on New Year's, but on birthdays,
reunions, and on all other occasions for which an excuse can be invented.
Private parties at the homes of many of our leaders where "fair
femininity" shone with their accustomed brilliance, and made happy for
a few hours at least the hearts of devoted admirers. The intercourse
between Detroit and Monroe and Toledo and Monroe was at one period
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 501
very dose and delightful, so that it was seldom that at least half a dozen
guests were present from the first swell social circles of those places.
It is very likely that New Year's calls had their origin in Continental
Europe. It appears that the custom was brought to New York hy the
Dutch and the Huguenots, as one of their peculiar institutions. It was
f|uickly "naturalized" and became in 1790 and 1800 universally fash-
ionable, for the good people were not slow to recognize the "good
points" of the innovation and immediately made it a part of their
domestic life and fixed customs. We are informed that George Wash-
ington and Mrs. AVashington "received" on each New Year's day, and
made their very numerous guests welcome with their characteristic
Virginia hospitality. At one of the first of these popular functions
Mrs. Washington afterwards remarked that none of the public proceed-
ings of the day so pleased "the General," by which title she always
designated her husband, "as the friendly greeting of those who called
upon him." But there was another side to the pioneer's New Year's;
an instance will suffice to emphasize this.
In 1832 a family named Banting came from Vermont to the new
territory of Michigan to settle on some of the $1.25 an acre land which
was then being very freely entered at the land office in Monroe. This
■ family finally decided upon a location some miles west of Monroe on a
stream which is not named in the story which is being related, but prob-
ably the Huron river. Early in the year they built a quite comfortable
dwelling house and planted some crops on land which they partially
cleared, and soon had neighbors from Ohio and New York state, with
whom they became fast and warm friends and did not lack at times
other visitors less welcome, the Pottowotamie Indians.
The year drew to a elose. and one of the neighbors kindly informed
the Bantings that on New Year's day, which was near at hand, their
Indian friends, who had become thus far civilized as to copy the custom
of New Year's calls of the eastern country, would probably "be around
to pay their respects" and that they would expect a warm welcome and
a few presents, which they would reciprocate in their own way and by
making presents in return.
On the morning of the first day of the new year, therefore, Mrs.
Banting was alarmed by the discharge of guns fired close to the house.
Running into the front room to ascertain the cause, she was confronted
by a party of Indians, men and squaws, who entered, smiling and greet-
ing in a manner intended very plainly to mean, "A Happy New Year."
She was immediately surrounded by half a dozen "braves" who insisted
upon the season's privileges of kissing her as a part of the ceremonies
of the day. Mrs. Banting vainly declined the honor and struggled without
avail to free herself from the copper-colored admirers, but finally suc-
ceeded in making her escape, and running into the rear room to seek the
protection of her husband. She found liim surrounded by the female
contingent of the callers, very much to her dismay, who were equally
persistent in bestowing upon the bewildered Banting lusty smacks in the
utmost good nature and in spite of struggles. She then ran out of the
house to the neighbor, who had previously posted her on the Indian
New Year's custom, and to seek his intervention, but she was too late.
The Indians were there before her and the whole family, old and young,
male and female, was undergoing the penalty for invading the lands and
homes of the aborigines. The whole performance was carried out thor-
oughly and in the most friendly and amiable manner, when the exchange
of gifts began, and ended by a liberal quantity of birch bark "fixings."
maple sugar mococks and moccasins being left by the callers, and by
their taking away in return such showy articles as they most prized, but
of no great value to the Bantings.
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CHAPTER XL
FRENCH AND YANKEE PIONEERS
Col. Francis Navarre— Robert F. Navabee— Joseph G. Navaere—
Petee Navaree, the Scout— Charles Hivon — Ilrs Story of tise
Frenchtown Massacre— Nimble Feench Wits — Colonel Hubert
La Croix — The La Crolx Manor House — Felix Mettt — John B.
Sanceaint— Captain Luthee Haevey — A Master Commissary —
Despite Harrison, Provisions Savei> — At the Battle of Lake Erie
— General Levi S. Humphrey— Henry Disbbow, Pioneer —
Colonel Oliver Johnson— Major Gershom Taintoe Bulkley —
Captain A. D. Perkins — Captain George W. Strong — Thomas G-
CoLE — Colonel John Anderson — Daniel S. Bacon — Walter P.
Clarke — Joseph B. Gale.
The earliest of the pioneers who came into the River Raisin valley
were of French extraction. Later, arrived the representatives of the New
England and Middle (so called) states. Most worthy men typical of
both these elements are mentioned below.
Colonel Francis Navarre
There were few if any white settlers upon the River Raisin previous
to 1767. There were many visits paid to the Indian village where the
Fourth Ward alone now numbers more than 2,000 people. The River
Raisin valley was a great hunter's paradise, and thousands of fur bear-
ing animals attracted the trapper and the fur trader. So far as can be
ascertained, and it is no doubt an incontrovertible fact, that the first
white settler to make a permanent home in this beautiful wilderness was
Francois Navarre, who was born in Detroit, the son of Robert Navarre,
who came from France at an early day, a man of many accomplishments,
of attractive personality, who became immensely popular with his fel-
low citizens. Large families were the rule in that period rather than the
exception, and Mr. Navarre's fireside boasted a circle by no means the
smallest on the Strait of Detroit.
It is a matter of record that the family of Colonel Navarre furnished
upwards of thirty members of the regiment which their noble relative
commanded as lieutenant-colonel of Michigan Militia in 1813. Uncles,
nephews, sons, brothers, cousins were there, and good loyal soldiers they
were. The house which Mr. Navarre built upon the tract of land ceded to
him by the Pottawatt amies was one of liberal dimensions, built of hewed
logs, with a frontage of sixty feet facing the River Raisin, which was the
central figure in this glorious expanse of forest and stream, and was the
hospitable stopping place for whomsoever properly claimed its protec-
tion. It was the headquartera of Generals Wayne and St. Clair, com-
manders in the Northwestern army and of General Winchester in the
winter of 1812-13, when he led the brave Kentuckians on their desperate
attempt to relieve and protect the exposed settlements north of the Miami.
502
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 503
This primitive, i'ort-like structure was afterwards enlarged, a second
story added, elapboarded and became one of the prineipaL residences
in the eastern portion of the city ; it was once occupied as the rectory of
Trinity Episcopal church, and a place of many enjoyable social gather-
ings.
Colonel Navarre's familiarity with the customs, habits and language
of the Indians, often stood him in good stead when the life of himself
or his family were in jeopardy ; for while he was on friendly terms with
all the Pottawattamies, there were occasional sprees inspired by fire
water obtained from unscrupulous traders, wiiich generally ended in a
drunken brawl; at such times the Indians forgot their friendship for
their good French neighbor and caused no little alarm for their safety.
As a matter of fact, it is claimed by his descendants that he located
here by the invitation of the Indians, the then sole owners of the soil,
who granted him a tract of one thousand two hundred or one thousand
five hundred acres of land, comprising the portion of the city of Monroe
east of Scott street, extending from the River Raisin south to the farms
laid out on Otter ereek. He retained at the time of his death about
five hundred acres of great value, which he willed to his children.
Colonel Navarre was the first person who attempted the establishment
of military discipline and the forms of civil government in this county ;
was the first appointed captain, afterwards colonel, in the first regiment
of militia formed in the county. He held at different times and for
long periods civil offices under the state or territorial government. He
maintained during his whole life great influence over the Indians; was
distinguished for his energy in aiding to accomplish the celebrated In-
dian treaty concluded at Greenville, Ohio, under the direction of Gen-
eral Wayne, by which the United States became possessed of an immense
body of land, and secured the right of constructing roads through the
state of Michigan. He witnessed the first commencement of a settlement
here ; saw the same destroyed, the houses of the inhabitants sacked and
burned, lived to see the remaining inhabitants settled anew, in compar-
ative afiiuence, and build up a flourishing village within a few rods of
his own door. He was remarkable for his habits of temperance, industry
and frugality, hospitable to new-comers, and was noted for the strictest
honesty and uprightness in all his intercourse with mankind.
The night after the massacre at the River Raisin Colonel Navarre
dispatched his son, Robert, with his mother and eleven children, on a
French traineau to Detroit for safety, which was so crowded that Robert
rode with his feet braced on the thills or shafts. As they passed the
iiuarters of Colonel Proctor on Sandy Creek, where Proctor's forces en-
camped the first night after the battle, he witnessed the drunken In-
dians scalping the wounded American prisoners and their inhuman and
barbarous manner of accomplishing it — by cutting with a butcher knife
a circle around the crown of the head, and then placing one foot on the
neck of the prisoner, with their hands in the hair, by main force strip-
ping the scalp from the head. This Robert Navarre, who died in Mon-
roe, was the last of the survivors in our vicinity of the soldiers of the
War of 1812 and 1813.
Colonel Navarre died in Monroe, September 1, 1826.
In the library of St. Mary's Academy there is a "Hook of the Na-
varre family" in which are recorded many historical incidents of the
early occupations of Monroe, that are more stirring than any romance.
Robert F. Navarre
The oldest son of Col. Francis Navarre was the first white male
child born in the county of Monroe, and lived during his long life of
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504 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
ninety years on a portion of the land near Monroe, which had been ceded
to his father by the Pottawotamie Indians. He was a man of mental and
physical vigor, and was always interested in relating the stirring events
of which he was an eye witness, the tragic scenes of the battle of the
River Raisin and the subsequent massacre of his kindred by the hlood
thirsty savages under Proctor, after the surrender by General Win-
chester on January 22, 1813,
He and his cousins were employed, after that atrocious outrage, in
transporting the wounded American soldiers who had escaped the tnma
hawk and scalping knife, from Frenchtown to Maiden.
Robert Navarre
Robert Navarre was born and always lived in B^renchtown. He was
twenty-two y^ars old when the battle of Frenchtown and massacre on
the River Raisin took place. His memory was very clear on the circum-
stances of this atrocious deed done in the name of war, but unfortu-
nately, his ability to give the details of what he saw was not sufficient
to form a connected narrative. Like many of his race he had made
but little progress in the mastery of the Anglo Saxon tongue.
Mr. Navarre was present at the Veterans Reunion in Monroe in
1872, that notable gathering, when more than one hundred of the
survivors of the massacre, and of the living veterans of the Kentucky
were here, whose average age was about ninety years.
Mr. Navarre was a farmer in the township of Frenchtown at the
time of his death which occurred about twenty-years ago. He lived in
a great game region and like ail the farmers, delighted in the hunt
after deer and bear and others of the big animals of the forests which
surrounded them on every hand. At first, of course, their only neighbors
were the Indians. Pottawotamies and Shawnees, who were peaceable
and friendly enough until the influence of the British and fur traders
stirred up a feeling of animosity. He was known and respected by the
Indians, for he had always treated them justly and fairly, and by this
means secured their confidence. At this time, 1810-12 there were but
three houses standing on the south bank of the river, one of them being
owned by his father. Colonel Navarre, one by Joseph Navarre, an uncle,
and another farther west at the present site of the Lafountain block,
corner of Front and Monroe streets. In the village of Frenchtown
across the river there were some fifty log houses and a trading post.
Furs were brought to the village from all the country round, and sold ■
to the traders in exchange for blankets, beads, calico and — whisky. After
a day spent among the places where liquor was to be had the redskins
were in a very hilarious mood, and later, in a very ugly condition, when
they created very lively scenes, often resulting in drunken sprees and
violent personal encount«rs. Then the traders drove them into the
streets and into their canoes and started them homeward.
Joseph G. Navarre
Joseph G. Navarre, the son of Colonel Francis Navarre, was born at
the River Raisin in January, 1795. The second white child of Monroe
had the advantages of such education as was possible in the early days,
was intended by his father for the priesthood, spent several years at
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 505
Bardatown, Kentucky, preparing for orders, but before completing his
studies for the priesthood he entered the law office of the Hon. William
Woodbridge at Detroit. "While there he was of very great service to the
early settlers of the territory in making the necessary proofs and papers
to establish the titles to the lands on the River Detroit, River Raisin,
Swan creek. Stony creek, Sandy creek, Otter creek, and Bay
settlement. He was also very efficient and of great service to the early
settlers that had suffered the loss of their property by the British army
under Colonel Proctor during the War of 1812. He did not enter upon
professional life as a lawyer, yet was very frequently consulted hy the
early settlers on all <iuestions pertaining to the title to their lands, their
claims for losses in the war, and the settlement of controversies that
arose on the River Raisin.
While in the office of Governor Woodbridge he was called home by
the illness and death of his father, and thereafter was occupied a
number of years in administering on the closing up of the estate. He
ceased pursuing his studies, settled upon the farm south of and adjoin-
ing the city of Monroe, owned and occupied it up to the time of his
death, which occurred in 1862, aged seventy-six years and six months.
His first wife, Eliza A. Martin, was born April 14, 1815, died April 15,
1848. Mr. Navarre married for his second wife Jemima Knaggs, who
was born July 26, 1811, died February 27, 1886, without issue.
Peter Navareb, the Scout
The reminiscences of the pioneers in the "River Raisin country"
are replete with interesting incidents in their own and their neighbors'
experiences. They were thrown into companionship with men of marked
characteristics, brave, generous and true. Narratives by men who came
into the wilderness at a very early day almost invariably mention that
intrepid Frenchman, whose name is a familiar one all along the frontier,
and an historic one in the events which called into play the sagacity and
the diplomacy of his race. This was Peter Navarre, whose life in the
forest, very largely among the redmen and the coureurs de bois and the
voyageur was an education along the lines which led to great usefulness,
and made him one of the most picturesque figures of the early years of
the eighteenth century. He was bom in Detroit in 1745, his grandfather
being the elder Robert Navarre, who came there in 1730, and who was
deputy intendant, and royal notary in the service of the king of Prance,
and was generally employed in some responsible public service. The
king's dues were payable to his receiver; the intendant or local receiver
and Robert Navarre's name is the tirst to be found in that capacity; the
judicial or notarial duties were not heavy, but the receipts for the king
were considerable, both in money and wheat, and the sub-intendant
was curator for the public property, not strictly military. For a period
of years intrigues with Iroquois chiefs went on, leading often to very
dangerous situations, requiring great watchfulness and diplomacy on the
part of the commander at Detroit. Hearing that the English had designs
on the White river and the Wabash country, Celoron, a former com-
mandant at Detroit, in 1743, allowed men and supplies to go from De-
troit to open a trade with a body of Senecas, Onondagas and others of
the Five Nations who, to the number of about six hundred had settled
there, and who professed friendship. Robert Navarre was sent out to
examine and report upon the prospects, and was intrusted with im-
portant duties in connection. Peter, the grandson, inherited many of
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506 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
his ancestor's traits and was a popular man witli all classes, wherever
cireumstanees placed him, of indomitable courage and honesty which
gained for him the respect and friendship of the Indians, for which the
aborigines were not especially notable for the last named trait them-
selves, they admired the exercise of it in others. He was frequently at
Frenchtown, and spent much time here with his relatives. About the
year 1807, he went to the Maumee valley and erected a log cabin on the
east side of the river, which stood there a landmark for many years.
He was of course familiar with the Indian language of various tribes
especially the Potta wot amies, and knew intimately their great chief
Peter Navakre
The old Frenph seoiit of the River Raisin in General Hiiif's and Opneral Harmon's
army, and an eye witness of the massacre of the Encr Raisin, January
23, 1813, present at the veterans' reunion, Monroe July 4th, 1872.
Tecumseh, and his brother, who was known as the Prophet; and his
services as interpreter were greatly in demand ; he was in the service of
General Hull, and was included among the men surrendered when
Detroit fell into the hands of the British, but escaped and made prisoner
by a tribe of hostile Indians by whom, however, he was soon released.
He was often importuned by the British to join them, but nothing
could move him in his loyalty to the American cause, and to his country-
men. He was employed in Harrison's army as scout. When this active
connection with the Americans was learned by the British colonel.
Proctor, he offered a reward of two hundred pounds for his head, "dead
or alive."
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 507
One of his old compatriots, an aged veteran of Toledo, knew Peter
Navarre intimately until his death, in 1874. One of the tales narrated
by this old resident as told by the old scout, concerned a remarkable
achievement when serving as a messenger between General Harrison at
Fort Meigs, and Major Croghan who was in charge of Fort Stephenson.
The distance between the points on an "air line," was upwards of thirty
miles — through an almost untrodden wilderness, destitute of even an
Indian frail. He started in the darkness of evening, and had traversed
not more than ten miles, when a terrific storm arose ; this did not pre-
vent the scout from plodding along in the intense darkness, with falling
limbs and trees endangering every foot of the way. He reached i'ort
Stephenson in safety early the following morning, narrowly escaping a
band of Indians en route. After delivering his papers to Major
Croghan, and receiving his instructions from him, he started on his
return journey, arriving at Fort Meigs near midnight — safely perform-
ing the feat of the sixty mile journey with no guide in the dense woods,
save his knowledge of wood craft which was not inferior in any respect
to the most expert savage.
Another of Navarre's adventures occurred when he was sent to
Pres<iue Isle by General Harrison to ascertain if there were Indians
camping there and their number. He was accompanied by a soldier, and
roaehed Pres()ue Isle at night. A hooting was heard during the night
by his comrade, who naturally remarked that it was an owl in the woods.
The old. scout, however, was not deceived ; he was too familiar with that
signal of the woods Indian, and told the soldier to remain tjuiet for a
few minutes, and he would see the "owl." It was winter and snow
covered the ground. They waited ([uietly for a short time, when a dark
form glided through the forest, but it was not an owl, simply a retreat-
ing Indian. When he had been gone a few moments the two men started
to reconnoiter, and discovered the camp, but could not tell how many
Indians were there, as they did not care to incur the danger of a too
close inspection at that time. Peter's companion was in favor of going
back and reporting their discover;', but Peter opposed this and suggested
an expedient, by which they might get rid of their foes without a fight.
The old scout took the powder horns of both, and commenced shaking
the powder out upon the snow, at the same time making numerous
tracks about to convey the impression that there were quite a company,
instead of two persons. The theory was that the Indians discovering the
foot prints and the powder on the snow, would conclude that "discre-
tion would be the better part of valor," and make their way in some
other direction very hastily. The theory was at once proved to be a
wise one, for the next morning the scouts found that the Indian camp
had been abandoned and not one of the number was to be seen or heard of.
ChAELES HlVON
Among the earliest settlers upon the banks of the River Raisin will he
found the name of Hivon, which has usually been pronounced Evor by
the English speaking inhabitants. The family of that name came here
at a very early day. Some years before the battle of Frenchtown. The
Hivon farm was in the township of Raisinville, about four miles distant
from Monroe. Charles Hivon was one of the sons, who was bom on the
homestead and passed his life here, covering a period of eighty-seven
years, dying in the year of 1891. At the age of twenty-one, he was an
eye witness of the battle and the subsequent massacre of Kentucky
troops and the defenceless French settlers by the inhuman British and
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508 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Indians. Although the Indians had been at times, somewhat trouble-
some, especially when they could get a supply of li<iuor from the
traders, the settlers lived in a condition of peaeefulness and comparative
comfort, in the little settlement, slowly growing up along the beautiful
Biviere aux Eaisins, the farms, very narrow and very long, extending
back from the stream both north and south, so that the neighbors were
situated quite close to each other, and the native characteristics of cor-
diality and good fellowship was thus given opportunity.
And in this way was begun the little town along the river whose fer-
tile banks and whose clear wholesome waters afforded them ample sup-
plies of food for the whole year ; the little town, long and slim — a long,
whitewashed little town it looked, snuggling along the borders of the
"River of Grapes." In its Arcadian, primeval quiet and comfort, who
should know or guess that the dark clouds of war and massacre and
terror should ever hover over and darken the scene where so many happy
homes then stood? Where the laughter of children and the quaint home
songs of the Canadian mother were so soon to be changed for the
despairing cries of wretched victims of tomahawk and scalping knife ;
when the quiet, peaceful and happy scene was to be transformed into
the stage whereon was enacted one of the crudest tragedies, in all its
horrors, that ancient or modern history records. The sickening tale has
been told and retold, but the personal narratives of the unwilling spec-
tators all have a tragic interest, and generally some personal experience
differing from another.
His Story op the Frenchtown Massacre
At the remarkable reunion held in Monroe on July 4, 1872, of the
survivors of the massacre and later pioneers of this county, joined by
an astonishing large number of survivors of those who came from Ken-
tucky and Ohio in 1813 under Winchester to defend the threatened
frontier, at this great gathering Charles Hivon was present, at the age
of eighty-two. At that time the author was fortunate in securing from
the old Frenchman a narrative concerning his experience, which is here
given as an incident in the troublous times in which the pioneers lived.
At the time mentioned, Colonel Francois Navarre, (the first white to
settle in Monroe and a man who commanded the entire respect and
confidence of his fellow men,) was appointed colonel of militia of the
county and territory, and nearly all the young men of the settlement
were enthusiastic to join the colonel's command, which most of them,
inchiding Hivon and his neighbors, did. They were actuated, perhaps,
by two motives, the fascination, excitement, and novelty of military
life, and the true patriotism as defenders of the soil which was threat-
ened with invasion and possible devastation.
Under the capitulation of the fort at the River Raisin, which Mr.
Hivon remembers very clearly, took place at the fort on the present site
of the Interurban power house, all the men belonging to the American
army were included. They surrendered to Captain EUiott, a British
ofBcer, who came from Detroit for that purpose, with a copy of the
articles of capitulation. "Our horses and wagons were delivered up,"
he said, "but we were left on parole. A large proportion of our array
were opposed to the surrender, but General Winchester had yielded,
although not before Major Madison had demanded that protection to
property and the lives of the settlers should be provided and convey-
ances provided to remove the wounded to Maiden, where they might
have proper treatment. No attention was paid to these stipulations by
the British, and soon the Indians came, when the bloody scenes followed ;
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 509
some of the more humane of the British officers of minor rank made a
feehle attempt to interfere with the savages in their murderous work,
but they were ineffectual, and the atrocious deeds of the drunken sav-
ages went on. AH imaginable barbarities were committed, among the
women, children, wounded — none escaped. Not satisfied with this, they
plundered the houses, and broke up or burned everything they did not
choose to carry away. Many of the settlers fled into the wilderness and
worked their way, ill clad into Ohio ; some remained here, though sutfer-
ing intensely from the annoyances and hostile attitude of the Indians,
bands of whom, one after another came along and carried off what was
overlooked or discarded by former raiders. The settlement here remained
in this precarious situation until fall, when two companies of
British and Canadian militia, accompanied by officers of rank, arrived
and were stationed here (the post then being called Frenehtown) and
it was made a rendezvous for their scouts, from which they made fre-
quent tours of discovery along the frontier.* The little settlement grad-
ually resumed its normal life, though many of the dwelling houses had
been burned, and new arrivals from Canada and other places were
beginning to be seen. A grandson of Mr. Hivon is a resident of the
Fourth ward, Monroe.
Nimble French Wits
Mr. Hivon was a good raconteur and- had a fund of reminiscences
which he enjoyed sharing with appreciative listeners. One which gave
him keen delight was descriptive of a very successful practical joke on
an unfriendly redskin, which ,he called his plaisaiiferie do trappe. It
appears that one of Hivon 's neighbors, one Baptiste Dussette was not
en rapporte with the. Pottawattamies living along the river, farther west,
who were quite anxious to get him into their hands, for some real or
fancied act of bad faith, and Dussette was quite as anxious to keep out
of the way, suspecting that they might take an opportunity to do him
injury; for this reason he seldom ventured alone into the forest. One
day, however, his prudence was overcome by a desire to go farther than
usual, alone, to split rails ; and. having seen nothing of any of his maiivais
gar^ons as he called them, for some time he ventured forth with his axe
and gun. While engaged in his work, and having opened a log with
small wedges, about half its length, he was surprised by a party of four
Indians, who crept up quietly, from the rear, and secured his musket
which was standing against a tree at his side.
"Baptiste," said the chief, "now me got you; long time me want
you ; you speak bad to Indian ; very long time you worry me ; me got
you sure now; you better get ready for go wid us up stream."
"Well," said Dussette, with an air of indifference that he was far
from feeling, "you have sure got me; but, before you take me away,
you and the other chaps help me open this log before we go to the
-scalping bee, so my boys can go ahead and finish up the rails." They
talked a moment together and consented to help their victim. Dussette
prepared a large oak wedge, carefully drove it deep into the log where
it was partly split, took out all the small wedges, and directed the
Indians to put their hands into the opening and pull with all their
strength, which they did ; when all their hands were well into the crack,
Dussette suddenly struck out the large blunt wedge and the green log
instantly closed fast on the hands of the Indians, and he had four pris-
oners good and fast.
' This fact is not noted by any previous narrator, that wc have seen. — Author.
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510 ■ HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Dusaette capered around in great glee, shouting "Now who's got who?
Guess we'll put off the little game you had fixed up, for a spell, anyway.
You stay here, till me get back." And off he posted with his gun and
axe, to the music of the Indians' yells and curses. He came back in a
short time and made his own terms for capitulation and release.
Colonel Hubert La Croix
Hubert La Croix was one of the strong characters who made their
home permanently upon the River Raisin, after the war. He was one of
the most patriotic and active of the French men who early came here
to identify themselves with the community of white settlers, and was
welcomed as a valuable acquisition. He rose to a position of prominence
among his countrymen, and held the post of colonel in the territorial
militia. He was the grandson of a wealthy and prominent citizen of
Montreal, who bore the same baptismal name. The Montreal La Croix
owned a large and substantial "habitation" on grounds located on St.
Jean de Baptiste street, which extends from Notre Dame street to the St.
Lawrence river. The old chateau atili stands on the same spot, a
massive and formidable stone structure, with walls three feet in thick-
ness. The author enjoyed the privilege in the summer of 1910 of
examining the old relic which is described elsewhere, and also of inspect-
ing the ancient records in the Seminaire de St. Sulpice, which date back
to the year 1664. The form of conveyance by the ecclesiastical authorities
to purchasers or lessees of the property in Montreal is the same as
employed two centuries and a half ago, and the same as used in the deed
of Hubert La Croix, which is given below :
"Pardevant Mtre J. Bonin, Notaire Public pour la Province de Qu^tee, en
la Puissance du Caoada, r^dant et pratiquant en la Citi de Montreal, en la, (lite
Province, SoHsaignS:
' ' Furent presents Jlessieinrs les EccWBiastiques du Seminaire de St.Sulpice
de Montreal, residant en la dite Cite, Seigneurs des Fiefti et Seigneuries de I'lle
de Montr&il de St-Siilpice et du Lae des Deux-Montagnes, agissant par Measire
Charles Lecoq, Pretre, Sup^rieur du dit Seminaire, assifitS S I'effet des pr&entes
par Mesfire Jean-Antoine Gaudin, Ptetre, Procureur do dit S^minaite, tons deux
& ce presents.' '
The old chateau in Montreal, and the large stjuare brick house built
by Hubert La Croix on the north side of the River Raisin, in 1817 or
1818, being the tirst brick house built in the county are most interesting
landmarks. For many years it was known as the La Fountain home and
occupied by Louis La Fountain, and at one time by Mr. Mathew Gibson.
This house stands on the eastern line of the ground upon which was
fought the battle of Frenchtown, and where occurred the memorable
It was upon these premises that a number of British coins were found
which were probably dropped in the snow by soldiers of the Porty-first
Regiment of Grenadiers, who encamped there— or by the Canadians. The
house is sometimes pointed out to sightseers, as having been in the midst
of the battle, and as being the stronghold in which the wounded, the
women, and children were sheltered during the bloody scenes of that
January day in 1813.
These statements and descriptions are of course entirely incorrect,
as there was no brick house standing there at the time. The square open-
ings in the wall are also described as the holes which were made by can-
non balls fired from the artillery used by the Canadian volunteers. As a
matter of fact they are the holes left in the walls by the masons, after
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 511
taking down the scaffolding. (In those days the trick of laying up brick
walls from the inside had not been learned.)
Hubert La Croix eame to Frenclitown from his birthplace in Jfontreal
in the year 1800, and he resided here continuously the balance of his life
which terminated in September, 1827.
Upon the organization of the militia by Colonel John Anderson,
under the order of Lewis Cass, the governor of the territory, La Croix'
name was the first to be enrolled as a private soldier. After the forma-
tion o£ the militia company, La Croix was unanimously chosen captain,
continuing in command up to the breaking out of the War of 1812. He
was at Port Detroit when General Hull surrendered that post, and was
taken prisoner by the British under Brock, and taken to Maiden, Canada,
where he was for some time kept, with other prisoners on a prison ship,
afterwards removed to Quebec. When the war was ended. Captain
La Croix returned to the River Raisin, and upon the organization of
Monroe county, in 1817, he was appointed a colonel in the militia and
first sherilf of the new county. He was related to the Navarre family
and the large family of Roberts, his eldest daughter being the wife of
the late Antoine P. Robert of Frenehtown — the younger daughter marry-
ing James Navarre, a farmer on La Plaisanee Bay.
The La Croix Manor House
The manor house in Montreal is a type of those built by the aristo-
cratic and wealthy families of the old regime. H is constructed of the
same gray stone that characterizes all the landmarks of the city. The
front, extending some sixty feet, is very plain, a row of windows reliev-
ing the austerity of its frontage. It is a house of parts,, and was likely
built in installments. The original building is entered by an ornate
doorway, and stairs lead directly to upper rooms. The balustrades, oi
handsome design, still remain, the solid oak offering resistance to the
wear of time, while the curio fiend has not as yet been allowed to despoil
the place.
The stairway, broad and handsome, leads to the second story, and
to the smaller garrets above that again. On the first floor Hubert most
likely conducted bis business. Here there are two huge apartments,
heavily shuttered, and a handsome archway relieves the plainness. The
cornices are another exhibition of what the carpenter of Villa Marie was
capable of, and they are fine specimens.
The fireplaces closed in modem times by a sort of wooden shutter,
bears finely carved panels which date back through the centuries, while
flowers and edgings of intricate workmanship add to the general design.
The fireplaces are huge, and the glow of the blazing logs, no doubt,
sufficed for light on many a cold winter's night.
The walls of the structure were built with an eye to the blasts of
winter, and are exactly three feet thick, the roof being tinned, though
this work was done at a fairly recent date. On the second story, accord-
ing to the opinions of those interested in the building, the ball room of
the household was situated. It is now cut up into several compartments,
but there are evidences to show that at one time there were no partition
walls, and here gay throngs danced in the holiday season.
The cellars are huge, and in the northern part stood the fireplace
where the household cooking was done. It was a giant affair, but
improvements necessary for the present occupants demanded that it be
demolished, and so it was. The "corner" is still intact, however, and
lately a ventilating apparatus was discovered. It is simply a plain box
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512 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
structure making an opening through the massive wall, and allowing
air, into the kiteheu.
On the lower end of the house toward the river, was later erected an
addition, the walls in this instance being only two feet thick, though the
addition was designed after the original building, and it would be
difficult to find evidences of a later architecture. The other additions
that form a rectangle are not as old as the dwelling proper, yet the wall
in the northern side is a giant afEair, and shows great strength.
That the present house was preceded by a smaller, though stouter
castie is evidenced by discoveries made by Mr. Ponthieu while excavating.
Two giant foundations were happened upon, formed of two walla, each
of which were some six feet in width, and as they were not relative to the
existing building, it was decided that an earlier one existed, perchance
a store house for furs, for that was the fashion of the day.
The woodwork throughout is of a lasting sort, oak predominating,
and the carving in all cases is severely plain and characteristic of the
thoroughness with which everything was carried out.
Through the years following the death of the La Croix family, many
of Montreal's elite are said to have occupied the place, though no records
can be found, some of them having been destroyed in the fire which
burned down the first seminary. This is the most interesting link that
connects Monroe today, with the people of ancient Montreal and New
France.
Fei,ix Metty
Among the early French settlers upon the River Raisin were several
whose vigorous constitutions and simple mode of life carried them to
a venerable age, an unusually large number of centenarians having
passed nearly their whole lives in Monroe county. One of these notable
Frenchmen was Felix Metty, who died here, almost upon the identical
spot upon which he had lived for almost a century, at the age of one
hundred and two years.
The deceased was born in Canada, nearly opposite Detroit, in the year
1756. And at the period of early manhood removed to Detroit, where he
participated in many of the perils and sufferings, incident to those times
and to this frontier, until after the war of 1812, when he removed to
Prenchtown and there remained till the day of his death. The old
gentleman retained his vigor of body and mind until about a year before
his death, walking regularly from the residence of his son, some three or
four miles to the Roman Catholic church in this city, of which he had
always been a devoted and faithful member. He was universally esteemed
by his neighbors and friends, as a strictly upright man in his dealings,
kind and humane in his feelings towards his fellow men.
John B. Sance.aint
was one of the earliest settlers at the River Raisin, coming here from
Quebec of which province of Canada he was a native. His father,
Plazet Sancraint was interested in establishing missions in connection
with the Jesuits through the northwest, and with his son spent many
months planting missionary stations at Black Rock, Fort Meigs, Maumee,
Huron, on the present site of Toledo, and at Gibralter, having for their
guide a converted Pottawattomie chief, Se-go-guen, This expedition
covered about a year and a half. Mr. Sancraint returned to Quebec,
and from that time was engaged as a trader with the Indians, making
his annual trips from Quebec to Detroit, his headquarters. He then
made the acquaintance of and married Miss Margaret Soleau in the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTV 513
j'ear 1785. Continued an Indian trader until 1805, at whieli time he
was commissioned by the government of the United States post trader,
with headquarters at Detroit. Througli his influence many of the early
French settlers were rescued from the barl)arity of the Indians. In
1801 lie accompanied Father Richard on his missionary tour to the
Indians and l)alf-l)reeds at Lake Huron and Lake Superior. He received
a commission from the United States government and assisted in
removing tlic Indians west of the Mississippi, when he died in the year
18;!8.
Cai't.vin LuTriEit IIauvey
One of tlie earliest of the American settlers in Monroe, was Captain
Luther Harvey, an active, energetic and most vi'orthy citizen, who died in
Monroe on Sunday, September 14, 1878. {-'aptain Harvey was at the
time of liis death one of the very few then living who was privileged to
witness the great naval battle on Lake Erie on September 10, 181;!,
when (.,'ommodore Perry's notable victory over the British fleet, gave
Michigan back to the Americans, and practically ended the War of 1812.
Captain Liither Harvey was born in JJurliugton, Vermont, in 1789,
removii^ with his father's family to the "Genesee Flats," New York
state, where they remained until 1802, when they removed to Buffalo.
He remembered that Jiuffalo, at that time, (1802) bad hut five or six
houses, certainly not more than a dozen, a portion of them frame but
most of them of logs, hewed. One of these buildings was a store known
as the "Contractors," kept by one Tupper, who had charge of the
government property, stored there for distribution among the ditferent
military posts scattered ai'ound the great lakes. For this ])ui'pose a small
government vessel named the " Contractor " ' eommanded by Captain
Lee sailed once a year on this expedition.
A British vessel, the "Camden," eame occa3iiimill,v to Fort Erie.
It was onee driven down the rapids and compelled to winter there, but
was released the next spring. This vessel was soon afterwards made a
prison ship during the *var, nnd many American soldiers were impris-
oned there, and very badly treated. He I'emenibered the vessel bringing
some of the famous native French ])ears from Detroit on one of her trips
and how delighted everyone was to get this delicious fruit.
As A Mail Caeriek
About 1806, Harvey took a contract under Postmaster General
Granger, to carr.v the United States mail from Buffalo to Brie, about
one hnndreil miles, onee a week. He sta,yed one week in Erie to meet
the mail from the south, another week being consumed going and
returning on his route. Thei'C was then a house at Fredonia, another at
Chautauqua. Cattaraugus and Chautauqua rivers were not bridged, and
at the latter there was no I'errj". In good weather he went on horseback,
in had weather on foot, as it was impossible for horses to ford the
sti'canis or to get through the woods and swamps. Notwithstanding
these obstacles and dilficulties. he never missed a trip while he was in
that sendee. On one occasion, while ti-avelling with liis horse, lie was
delayed and chased by wolves to Fredonia. then called by the Indian
name Canadnway. The mail was veiy light, often eontHimn^ nothing
at all.
A MaJ^TIOR COMiriSSARY
Pi'ovisions and even necessities for Buffalo and Erie, were then
obtained from Canada, chiefly from Fort Erie which was an old settle-
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514 HISTORY OP MONEOE COUNTY
meiit. Pork was imported into Canada from Ireland and had a great
reputation for its fine quality. Hay was Drought over on the iee in
winter. Salt came from the Saline district about Onondaga, by way
of Oswego and Lake Ontario, it was hauled around the falls to Fort
Schlosser three miles above, thence it was shipped in boats to Erie
and distributed to the country south. The boats used in transportation
were long and heavy, painted red and capable of taking a cargo of one
hundred barrels of salt. They were provided with sails, but were pro-
pelled up Niagara river chiefly by setting poles, and manned by eight
men. A barrel of "Pennsylvania rye" was generally on tap in the
stern with a convenient tin eup, and was the resort of the boatmen
whenever, like Dame Gamp, they "felt so dispozed. " Whiskey then
was more common on land than good water, and sold for twelve and
one-half to twenty cents per gallon for the best, while that luxury flour
cost $40 per barrel. There was no commerce on the lakes, worthy the
name, but soon private enterprises were started, a small schooner called
the "Lark" was built and owned by Dr. Cyreneus Chapin. He was a
man for the times, and engaged actively in business enterprises. There
was then no harbor on Lake Erie, nor were there anywhere piers or
otlier improvements. The captain of the Lark made several unsuc-
cessful attempts to get into Chautauqua creek, which was obstructed by
reefs. This failure roused the ire of the doctor, who vowed in many
"strange oaths," to take command of the craft himself and run her up
the river or run her to the — place said to be easy of entrance. He
undertook the feat, and by dint of much maneuvering and hard work
he accomplished it and returned in safety.
Mr. Harvey remembered the building of the first steamboat on the
lakes, the " Walk-in-the-Water, " which was built at Black Rock in
1818. Her first trip was to Detroit, from which she returned safely,
and started for the second venture ; hard winds compelled her to anchor
at Port Abino, some twenty miles from Buffalo, where she sprung a
leak, attempted to reach the latter place, but was driven upon the beach
instead. Her erew were saved, but the vessel went to pieces.
Captain Harvey said that the engine, which was a novel and inde-
scribable affair, was sold and afterwards went into the "Superior,"
another boat built the next year. In 1810, Harvey moved to Pennsyl-
vania, then to Ohio, settling in Conneaut, with many others from the
east. He remained there for a few years, then went a little farther
west to Cleveland. While living in Cleveland, news arrived of the
declaration of war with England in the summer of 1812. In August,
General Hull surrendered Detroit. A call was made by the governor
ef Ohio for troops, which were, with state militia to be sent to the
defense of the new settlements on the frontier. Harvey volunteered
and joined the company of Captain Parker. Settlers in northern Oliio
were very few and scattering; Cleveland was the merest nucleus of a
village. A wagon road from Erie led as far as Huron, but west of
Cleveland there was no bridge. About the River Huron was a tract
called the "fire lands," being a donation by congress to sufferers by fire
in Connecticut. Many settlers had gone on under this benefaction
sometime before and formed quite a prosperous settlement. Near the
river and in the prairies bordering it, there were some pretty large
farms.
On August 26, 1812, Captain Parker's company of 108 men, left
Cleveland for Huron, to protect the properly of the inhabitants who
had fled south, leaving everything which they could not easily carry,
including an abundance of provisions. At camp Avery, six miles from
the mouth of the Huron, the soldiers built a block house, also one three
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 515
miles above. From Huron to Sandusky and aLong that river, there was
nothing but one Indian trail. Harvey remained with Captain Parker in
camp until the ensuing winter when with his consent, he entered the
employ of Major Lupper, a commissary, and was at once detailed to
carrying dispatches from Cleveland to Fort Meigs, on the Maumee,
then in command of General Harrison. He followed the lake shore
with one man only in company, by trail, sleeping generally on the ice,
wrapped in his blankets, and ever on the alert for lurking Indians.
On his first arrival at Fort Meigs, after delivering his dispatches to
General Harrison, he asked for food and clothing. The general replied :
"I can give you pork and flour, but nothing more; we are building the
fort and there are no barracks; you see the tents are all full." So, as
before, he and his comrade camped upon the open fields, where they
cooked their dough and pork.
Despite Harkison, Provisions S.weh
After the trip to Fort Meigs, in January, 18i;J, Harvey was employed
to take charge of the ox teams used in transporting flour and otJier
supplies from Cleveland to the fort, having six yoke of oxen on the way
in February. He was nearing Huron river, one day, when he met an
express rider mounted on a very good liorse going at a very rapid pace ;
he halted and handed Harvey a written order from General Harrison,
announcing the defeat of General Winchester at the River Raisin by the
British and Indians. The enemy, in force, it stated, would soon be
down upon the Huron settlements and no time miist be lost in turning
loose the cattle and rejoining the troops. Harvey replied that he should
do no such thing ; neither turn loose the cattle nor unload the flour unless
receipted for by some responsible person. Harvey then drove across the
ice to the house of a' Jlr. Wright, a well-to-do farmer. This house was a
substantial one of hewed logs and safely protected against attacks from
Indians. After much discussion, and consideration of the dilemma of
Harvey, the farmer agreed to take the flour, about sixty barrels, give
Harvey a receipt for them, storing them in another log building near
the house. Harvey then led the oxen back to Cleveland, and on a farm
secured a safe place for them.
General Harrison, when he abandoned Fort Meigs had on hand a
large quantity of pork. It had been driven through to the fort in the
live hog, from Kentucky at great labor, difficulty and expense. These
hogs had been killed and salted down, which together with a large
supply of other provisions were stored under sheds below tlie fort. These
sheds General Harrison ordered fired; this order was obeyed, and soon
the flames were merrily consuming the food tliat the men would have
been glad to have a little later. After the troops moved out, and had
reached some distance, a number of Frenchmen living in the vicinity
extinguished the flames and saved nearly all the provisions.
Seeing that no Indians made their appearance. General Harrison
and his officers got over their panic in three or four days and returned
to the fort, where, but for the timely and prudent action of the French-
men, his army would have found themselves in a condition bordering
on starvation. Harvey's teams of oxen and their loads of flour after-
wards reached their destination in safety.
At the Battle of Lake Erie
j\lr. Harvey, while admiring the fighting ciualitiea of General Harri-
son, and his influence with his men, had no such high opinion of his
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516 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
judgment and courage uniler sudden i-equirements of emei'geucy. In
August, 1813, young Harvey with the family were at Huron. The fleet
of Captain Perry were cruising about the islands in Lake Erie, looking
for the British fleet under Captain Barclay, Anally coming to anchor
between Cunningham's island and Sandusky. Anxious to see the fleet
at closer range, Harvey hired an old French batteau that was scarcely
seaworthy, in which Colonel Spauldiug had iseaped with his family
from Maumee. On the farm was a large quantity of melons, cucumbers.
corn, the size of "roasting ears," beans and potatoes; also in the dairy,
a good supply of butter and other eatables; with this generous assort-
ment of provisions Harvey determined to supply Perry and his men
with or without compensation, depending upon circumstances after he
had boarded the fleet. With five or six other young fellows who were
also exteremely anxious to see the flne fleet of vessels, loaded upon the
batteau all that she could safely carrj- and started. It proved a most
timely, profitable and welcome expedition. Not a person from shore had
visited the fleet, and all were ignorant that a settlement existed iu that
vicinity* — morco'^'er they were almost destitute of provisions. The boat
was allowed to come to the side of the flagship "Lawrence," and the
purser took possession of the cargo and paid Harvey liberally for it,
siiui fold liiiu to bring as much more as he could handle on the same
terms. Expressing a desire to see the young commodore (then captain)
he was introduced and spent a few very proud moments iu conversation.
Haj.'vev probably remembered this event more clearly than anv in his
life.
Another cargo of the welcome farm produce was prepared and
satisfactorily delivered to the waiting boats, anchored between Pnt-in-
Bay and West Sister Islands. This A-as the scene of the conflict, and
Captain IJarvey describes the appearance of the waters after the
battle as strewn with debris of the shattered vessels, broken spars, blood
stained matresses and clothing, and other fragments, while the wrecked
hulls of the British vessels showed the effect of the murderous broad-
sides which Perry had poured into them. The British flagship "Detroit
and the "Queen Charlotte" lay close together, the shrouds of the former
cut to pieces, and hanging like vines about her foremast; the masts
were all shot away and the rudder also. The "Lawrence" was prac-
tically a hospital, where the wounded of both sides were cared for by
British and American surgeons. The destruction was awful, and the
loss of life dreadful. Harvey saw the action from a distance and
describes it as something terrible. Perry was on one of the gunboats in
great distress at the loss of so many brave officers and men.
At the last visit of Harvey to the fleet, after the battle, Commodore
Perry, requested him to pilot a large boat, carryuig a hundred Ken-
tucky soldiers to the Canada shore and thence up to Maiden. Harvey
pleaded his ignorance of the Canadian coast, which he had never visited
and also the anxiety of his family at his prolonged absence, but the
commodore would accept no excuse or plea, and compliance became a
duty. Upon landing at Maiden which had been the headquarters of the
British from whence they had retreated, the men fired and destroyed
the house of Colonel Elliott, the Indian agent, whom they considered
mainly instrumental together with one Simon Gurty in the horrible
masgacre at the River Raisin in the January previous.
Captain Harvey went to Detroit from Maiden, and describes it as
a very disagreeable, dirty little place, built mostly of log and lilock
houses; the troops encamped along the street (now Jefferson avenue).
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 5l7
He saw this street plowed for the first time preparatory to grading. In
1815, the whole family removed to Monroe, this was two years before
the county was organized. Here Mr. Harvey settled and opened a
tavern. His first "Fourth of July" in his new home, was spent in a
manner i|«ite different from the usual custom. The men and boys of the
settlement spent the day in gathering up the bleached bones of the
victims of the massacre of two years previous. They were scattered all
about the wooded banks of the Baisin and over an area of a mile or more,
as far south of the river as Plum creek. Tomahawks, cannon balls,
muskets, bayonets, soldiers caps and all manner of equipment were
picked up, which had been overlooked by the savages. The bones were
gathered and placed in large boxes and buried in a lot on Monroe
street, by Mr. Harvey and his neighbors. Mr. Harvey's pursuit in
1817 to 1821 was largely with the lake shipping interest, owning or
sailing several sloops and schooners. No man living in Monroe county,
enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens to a greater
degree than Captain Luther Harvey.
General Levi y. Husri'iiREV
Oenerai Humphrey was one of the early pioneers from the statu of
Vei'mont. He was a man of large frame, six feet or more in height, and
of impressive appearance, who identified himself very actively with the
business and political movements of Monroe. He was landlord for a
few years of the Exchange, the "big" hotel, and later, when the large
brick structure was built by the business men of Monroe for a hotel,
which is now the "Hubble block" on Washington street, he was the
first landlord and the house was named the Humphrey House. General
Humphrey gained considerable notoriety in connection with the Toledo
war, in which he took part; also during the construction of the Southern
Railroad, when two factions were bitterly contending for supremacy;
one of them was led by General Humphrey and the other by R. M. Mor-
rison; betweeji these parties occasional encounters made lively incidents
in business circles, but politics was the game that the general liked to
play, and he won quite a following.
A local friend or enemy would now and then "drop into poetry,"
on the theme, and we find in an old newspaper of the day the following,
as a sample stanza dedicated to the modern Talleyrand :
Talleyrand the great, the grand,
Talleyrand the dickerer, /(
For him we'll either fall or stand.
As long as he's the liquorer.
General Humphrey was given the sobriquet of Talleyrand because of
his suave manner and other characteristics. It may be stated in this
connection, that whatever he might have had to do with "liquoring"
others, he was a very temperate man himself, seldom taking liquor in
any form. His daughter, Miss Annette Humphrey, was a very agreeable
and accomplished -woman, most popular among all the young women of
the city. She married Jacob L. Green, a lawyer of Monroe, who subse-
quently became adjutant general on General Custer's staff, and after
the war was connected with the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance
Company, of which corporation he became the president. His death oc-
curred in Hartford Connecticut,
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518 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Henry Disbrow, Pioneer
Henry Disbrow was one of the earliest American pioneers to reaeh
Monroe, and was endowed witli the qualities that at once gave him
prominence among men who appreciated not only physical strength
and great powers of endurance, but the higher mental and moral quali-
ties that proved sueh pronounced factors in the building of govern-
ments and communities in the midst of the howling wildernesses of the
great "Northwest Territory." Henry Disbrow was that kind of man.
He was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on the ninth day of July, 1773,
where he passed his boyhood, and received his early education. He
married Miss Sarah Anderson on May 30, 1794, in his native town, who
D Mite Henry Disbrow
(From a dagucireotjpel
bore him four children, one son and three daughters. The family re-
moved to Dayton, Kentucky, where the son, Henry V. Disbrow, was born.
He entered upon commercial pursuits at an early day, and at the time
of the declaration of war between the United States and Great Britain
in 1812, was trading between Sandusky and Detroit, commanding a
vessel loaded with provisions bound to the latter place. He preserved
a diary of this particular trip, which is a graphic description of an
historic voyagt. It is as follows
rMRA.tT 1 M.M DlAR\ CF HENBI DISEROU
June 29tti, ISIL
"Received the new«i of tlie declaration of nir between the United "^Itates and
Great Britain (at Sandiishej ) and on the fiist )ai of Tiily entered in the service of
the United States and took on board the boat Dolfin of Sandnake* as passenger, Eev.
Wm. Hughes of Dellanare Chaplin of the army under General Hull o( Detroit. Set
sai! the same day for that port July 4th eame m sight thp British Ship if ivar
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 519
mounting 24 nine pound tiniionarle Sailed in site of her the wbtle day with a
very lite brease alout 12 o eloek lay to under coier of an island (the 'Midle
Sister") She passed within ^^ mile of us when lying heie She stood on for
Maiden, the wind coming a head She came to in the mouth of Detroit riier
about sundown About an hour after this time ne pas'-ed her about one mile to the
leeward and laj to on account of the wind being ahead Jul} 5tb at break of day
the wind came tare we hoisted sail and run up the Detroit river a short distance
the wind heading her «e were again obliged to lay too under cover of Hickorj Island
near the American Shore where deneral Hull s Arme> of about twenty seien hun
driad men had passed about one hour before Here tbe Beverend Mr Hughs &
his lady expressed some anxiety to join the Armey was landed at the big rock,
as our Situation nas rather disagreeable laying nithin about two miles of all the
British force in this Country consisting of si^ armed vessels 250 reguHrs, 300 Malitn
and about 400 Indians and only Stx men on board my Small boat including mj^elf
We kept a stnct watch the whole night expecting e^ery Moment an attack from Indians
that were on an Island about one mile from us and was almost contmuely shout
ing the war whoop in our ears we passed the night nithout any other interruption
The next mornin being the 5th of July about ten o cloik the wind tame fare
for Detroit (the brig Hunter Tommander Capt Bulett Cohow was watching our
menuiers (as well as we his) hauled out m the middle of the rner for the purpose
of attacking ns as we patsed We hoisted Sale in order to run by the brig at all
ha'-^enls or perish in the attempt We arrived at Detroit about 4 o clock the same
da\ where General Hull had just arived with his army consisting of about 27
hundred men which crossed the Detroit riier on the 12th tnd hoisted American tlig
m Canada, threw up breastworks and built a small garrison which was evacuated
again on 12th of Augs and the whole force rectosseil the nier to Ft Detroit on the
15 the fort of Detroit was summoned to surrmder by Gener Brock the commander
m Chief of his Bnttanic majestj 's forces at Fort Maiden and on the same day the
mas'acre at bhuago or Fort I>erhourn took place 16 the Fort Detroit, surrendered
a force of about twenty fiye hundriad effective men, about 40 peaces of Cannon 11 of
which were 24 pounders 7 of which were well mounted and a ier> large quantity of
ammunition of all kinds to Gen Brock who had under his commind about 300 reg
ulars 400 mititia and 300 Indiana and on the 22 of January lfiI3 General Win
(hcster's dnision consisting of about 750 men were defeated at the Riier Basin by
about 2 000 Brittish and Indians, under the command of Cols Procter and St
George The British took 262 prisoners all the wounded that cold not travel were
tomahawked by the Indians The Indians took a great many prisoners (40 or 50)
whilst the British lost about 150 killed and 100 wounded (principally regulars)
The American citizens of Detroit purchased prisoneta for between 50 and 100 dols
eaib ami made them as comfortable as po'sable, the British took them from the
Americans and took them to Sandwitth where we saw them no more The Indians
Defeated at Massassinwa on the 17 and 18th of December the Americans lost S killed
40 wounded The Indnns lost 32 dead on the field a number of towns burnt by the
\[r Disbrow left his home m Kentuckj, expecting to be ab&ent on
this trip about three weeks but did not return foi more than two jears,
haiing been taken pi isonei in Sandwich Canada opposite Detroit while
visiting Ma wife, who was a guest of Major Caldwell's family at their
residence, in that place. Mr. Kinzie was captured at the same time, and
with Mr. Disbrow was placed under guard of a party of Indians. Mr.
Disbrow was soon released, but Mr. Kinzie was sent on to Montreal, in
irons and imprisoned.
lienry Disbrow was by profession a civil engineer, and was so
engaged in Monroe ; in 1817 he platted the village, and prepared a large
map which is still in existence, and in the possession of the author of
this history. It is a most interesting old relic of the busy days, embody-
ing the elastic ideas of its founders, when it was expected that Monroe
would certainly become the metropolis of the great west, witli the "City
of Brest," as a close second. There was no wagon bridge across the
river at that time except at Monroe street, a foot bridge being the only
other means of crossing ; this was located at Macomb street. The wagon
road to La Plaisance Bay is shown as starting from the intersection of
Sixth and Scott streets. The town «'as platted and laid out into streets
and city lots, eastward, to Lake Erie, portions of which are marked as
"wet pasture" — of course no marsh appeared! The names of owners
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520 HISTORY OF MONEOE COUNTY
appear, moluding those of well known men of that day, "A_E. Wing,
Geo. B. Harleston, Nadean, Navarre, Bohert, McVikar, Godltov, Jjaw-
rence, 0. Johnson, Hatch and others." _^
Anderson street was then known as "Bead to Detroit with a large
tract on the west side of this road marked ; "Catholic Church Lands ■
and on the east aide of tlie road appear the names of C. Noble, Joliii
Anderson, etoi Elm avenue was " H.iyer road." The bloek ot chtircli
land seems to have extended north for eight blocks or more ; beyond that
it was "commons," or open country. All the eity streets were named
as at present, running north and south, and those running east and west
being numbered. In the marsh there is seen a .|iiite large liody ot water
marked "Shallow Lake." Mr. Disbrow was also engaged m mercantile
pursuits, and occupied a large store on Front street, in what was then
known as the "Disbrow Block "-this was also the block in which was
afterwards established the "Merchants and Mechanics Bank. Mr.
Disbrow is spoken of by his contemporaries as a man ol great strength
ot character, wonderful force and industry, greatly esteemed in the city
He was a member of the Presbyterian church in which he was ordained
on elder in 1818. He occupied for many years, as a residence, the
Macomb Street House, which he had purchased before its completion.
Mr Disbrow's death occurred in Monroe, July 7, 1855, four years prior
to that of his wife. Their children were Henry V. Disbrow, who died
in Galesburg, Illinois; Achsah, who married Colonel Green of Kentucky;
Elizabeth, who was bom in Kentucky, December 16, 1796, and married
Colonel Oliver Johnson, at the Elver Raisiu in 1818 ; and Mary B who
was born in Dayton, Ohio, February 13, 1809, and came to Monroe
when a young girl, with others of the family, making the entire lourney
on horseback; she was married to Thomas G. Cole, January 27, 1828,
and died in the home where she had spent all her married life. Of the
children now living are Mrs. Sarah E. Raynor of New York city, Mrs.
Eliia Armitage, Mrs. Harriet Tryon, Mrs. John M. Bulkley, and Henry
T. Cole, who reside in Monroe. Mrs. Cole was a member of the first
Presbyterian church, having united with that society in January, 18.!,i.
Colonel Oliver Johnson
Probably no man among the early American settlers on the River
Raisin was more active in the affairs of Monroe, during the formative
period of its history, nor whose influence in the business and religious
activities of that time continued to be more distinctly felt, durmg the
stirring events which followed, in the upbuilding of the community in
which he had made his home, than Oliver Johnson. Born at Harrington,
in the state of Connecticut, on February 29, 1784, of New England
ancestry, he inherited the positive and staunch principles, the sturdy
religious character and the business acumen which were the marked
characteristics of that remarkable race. He was one of eleveu chil-
dren born to Robert and Sarah Blake Johnson, ail of whom reached
maturity, and were found in various pursuits in New England. Colonel
Johnson came to Monroe soon after the close of the War of 1812, and be-
came deeply interested in the struggling new town, then just emerging
from the clouds of misfortune which darkened its beginnings— and at
once identified himself with every effort that was being made to improve
the immense natural advantages of location, which he was not slow to
discover, and which he felt certain would place Monroe conspicuously
upon the map. He at once made judicious investments in real estate,
and commenced the building of a home. In 1818 he purchased from
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Father of Charles Greene Johnson and grandfather of Kate Eli
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522 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
the original owner, Jos. Loraiiger, a lot on the comjr of Front and
Washington streets and erected the first brick residence in that portion
of the town, which he occupied for five years, when he purchased the
lot on First street, fronting the public square, east of the court house,
and upon it built a large frame dwelling, which still stands on ita
original site, and is owned and occupied by his granddaughter, Mrs.
Rufus E. Phinney. This was the residence of Colonel Johnson until his
death on January 18, 1868.
On the twenty-third of July, 1818, Oliver Johnson was married to
Eliza, daughter of Henry Disbrow, sister of the late Mrs. Thos. G.
Cole. The ceremony was performed by Rev. John Monteith, English
preacher at Detroit, who signed the marriage certificate as John Mon-
teith, "Bishop of Detroit." (Of course there was no bishop of Detroit,
and Rev. John Monteith was a Presbyterian clergyman, the first, prob-
ably, who ever preached in Michigan.) In the records of the First Pres-
byterian church of Monroe, under date of February 17, 1821, is this
entry: "Sermon by Rev. John Monteith; church meeting after sermon,
voted to receive Oliver Johnson and Mrs. Desire "West as members of this
church, in full communion." Also on October 3, 1825, this interesting
family incident: "Mr. 0. Johnson's infant child was christened (Eliza-
beth), before sermon in the afternoon by the Rev. Stephen Frontis."
Colonel Johnson was elected an elder in the Presbyterian church of
Monroe previous to 1830, and continued until his death, a valuable and
discreet adviser and loyal supporter of the cause in this part of the
country. He was a merchant as early as 1825, and occupied the brick
building which he originally built for a residence on the present site of
the First National Bank. The old structure which was a substantial
brick, was remodeled many times, and occupied for many purposes, be-
ing finally destroyed by fire in January, 1868. His store was the largest
in the' town, and an extensive trade was carried on in furs — which was
the principal inedium of exchange in those days ; and formed a large pro-
portion of the exports from Monroe, for many years. Oliver Johnson
was averse to mingling in politics and never held but one public oifiee,
which was by appointment, as judge of probate, by the governor of the
territory ; notwithstanding, he was most active in all public affairs, and
prominent in the councils of the Whig party, and one of the original
founders of the Republican party at Jackson, Iklichigan. He was
elected a presidential elector in 1856, on the Fremont ticket. Mrs.
Eliza Disbrow Johnson, wife of Colonel Johnson, was one of the pioneers
of the River Raisin, bom at Dayton, Kentucky, and as a young girl, with
her family made the journey to Monroe, in 1817, on horseback, and re-
sided with her father's family on the Stewart farm in Monroe until her
marriage to Colonel Johnson in 1818. Mrs. Johnson was one of the orig-
inal small number of twenty which founded the First Presbyterian
church of Monroe, and which was organized by Rev. John Monteith on
the 12th of January, 1820, "in Colonel Johnson's brick house," as the
record states. She was an active member of the church and active in all
its affairs, her home was the place where all visiting ministers and church
people were entertained. Mrs. Johnson died in the home which she had
made so notable at. the advanced age of eighty -seven.
Major Gebshom T.^intor Rulkle?
Major Bulkley was born in Colchester, Connecticut, March 8, 1781.
The founder of the Bulkley family in America, and the distinguished
ancestor of the sub.ieet of this sketch was Rev. Peter Bulkley, B. D.,
who came from England with his young wife Grace Clictwood, to Cam-
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524 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
bridge, Massachusetts, in 1634. Peter Bulkley was a staunch Puritan,
though his father, Doctor Edward Bulkley was a prominent clergyman
of the Church of England and a distinguished minister of the large
parish of Odell, where the beautiful stone edifice in which he preached,
still stands. Reverend Peter Bulkley built at Concord, Massachusetts,
where he settled in 1635, -the fourth Protestant church in the colonies
from his own private means, and aftenvards sustained it for a long time
in the same manner.
Gershom T. Bulkley, removed from Colchester, Connecticut, to Wil-
liamstown, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, the seat of Williams College,
where he married Julia A. Kellogg, a daughter of Judge Kellogg, one
of the leading professional men of the county. He was here actively
engaged in farming, manufacturing and mercantile pursuits. Though
not a politician, nor a seeker after political preferments in public
affairs, he served his county and district faithfully when called upon.
He was for a few years a representative in the legislature of Massa-
chusetts, and received the commendation of his fellow citizens. A
number of other civil appointments were conferred upon him, two
commissions from presidents of the United States being among the
honorable recognition of his public services in Massachusetts and Michi-
gan. Major Bulkley was ever an ardent friend and supporter of
Williams College, and contributed of his means and infiuence liberally,
at times when the skies were dark with this now famous and prospei-ous
college. Upon the declaration of war with England by the United
States, in 1812, he volunteered his services in the defense of his country
on the northern frontier. He was eommissoned by President James
Madison a major of cavalry, recruited all the men of his command in
his own county, and served with them, so long as their services were
required. The nearness of the Canadian border, and the activity of
military operations in that vicinity rendered this service highly valuable
and necessary.
After the declaration of peace with England, the military forces were
disbanded. Shortly after this he was appointed postmaster at Williams-
town, which office he held until his removal to Michigan in 1833. Arriv-
ing in Monroe, with his family, which was then an ambitious village of
the territory, he at once engaged in business and thoroughly identified
himself with the business interests and entered actively into the public
and private enterprises of the town. There were many other Massa-
chusetts men among the new arrivals, and with one of these from
Williamstown, Mr. Daniel Noble, he formed a copartnership in the
mercantile business, their store at first being located on the west side of
Washington street, the site of the building of the old First National
Bank, but afterwards in a large frame building on the southwest comer
of Front and Monroe streets. This building was destroyed by fire in
1875, while occupied as a store by Gershom Bulkley, a son. Major
Bulkley became deeply interested in the extensive harbor and canal
projects to promote the commercial interests of Monroe. He was one of
the commissioners chosen to visit Washington in the interests of the city,
in connection with the improvements in the harbor, and with Hon. D. A.
Noble and others was also instrumental in securing funds necessary for
the completion of this work. The permanent organization of the canal
commission was effected in 1844, and at the first election of officers the
following were chosen: President, Gershom T. Bulkley; secretary, Moses
B. Savage ; treasurer, Norman R. Haskell ; acting commissioner, John
Bureh. Major Bulkley was reelected for two successive terms. Alpheus
S'elch, George W. Strong, Harry V. Mann, M. B. Savage and other
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 525
citizens serviug witli him. lie ivas without solicitation oii his part,
appointed by President Andrew Jaekson, receiver of the United States
land office in Monroe, this being one of tlie three land offices in the
state, the others being located in Detroit and White Pigeon. The sales
at the Monroe office exceeded those of both the othei-s combined. His
first clerk in this office was Isaac P. Cliristiancy, who was afterwards an
eminent jurist of the state, and senator from Michigan, sueceeiling
Zachariah (^hiindJer. The building used as the lajid office was a small
one on the south side of tlie publie siiiiure adjoining the court house.
In 1845 Major Bulklc.v was elected recorder of tlie city of Monroe, suc-
ceeding Hon. David A. Noble, and reelected the following year.
Major Bulklcy was a itieiiiber o1: the I'^irst Presbyterian eluii-ch of
Moni-oe, uniting witii that S(>eiety April IS), 1839, the eldei^s being
(.'olonel Oliver .lohnson. Charles Noble, Dr. Harry Conaut, and Colonel
John Anderson. The pastor at that time was Rev. Conway P. "Wing.
He was the father of ten children, sis sons and four daughters, all of
whom with his widow survived him. Their names were as follows:
Henry Chester, Oershom, Mareia A., Eliza. Caroline A., Edward "W.,
Charles Sabin, Georpe Francis, and John ileClelland, none of whom,
except the last named, are living. He died in IVionroe in 1862 after a
bri(^f illness, and was buried in the family lot in Woodland cemetery.
The following tribute to Major Biilkley was written by Judge John
Logiin Cbipman, the editor of the Detroit Free Prcn.'i at the time of his
(leatli. ;nid appeared in the editorial columns of that paper in October,
1H62: ■■The Monroe papers report the death, after a short illness in
that city, of Major Oershoni T. Bulkley, an old and well-known citizen
of this state, at the advanced age of eighty years. Few men were more
universally esteemed by those who knew him than Major Bulkley. He
inis a prominent resident of Williarastown, in Massachusetts, and lived
in that state, we believe, until when he went to iionroe. lie served his
country in the War of 1812 as a Major of Cnvaliy on the frontier, was
afterwards a large manufacturer in his native state and at one time a
member of her legislature. In Michigan he held various publie positions,
among others that of register of the United States laud office. He was a
generous, liberal and charitable gentleman — one of that class of men who
came on the stage of action in this country just after the Revolution, and
who chei'ished witii reverential affection the memory and the principles
of the fathers of the repnblie. His life covered nearly the entire period
from the day of the immoi'tal declaration of his country's independence
down to the day of his deatli. He may literally be said to have seen the
birth and the infancy of this great nation. God grant that the struggle
amid which he died may not be the premonition of her destruction. It
is at least a sad reflection that one who lived at the birth of the con-
stitution lived to Mitness the efforts to overthrow it."
tiAi'TAiN A. D. Perkins
John Perkins the first settler of the Perkins family in this country,
was born about 1590, in Gloucestershire, England. He brought his wife
and five children with him to America. One of their fellow passengers
was the afterward famous divine, Rev. Roger Williams. They were
ill time to celebrate the first Thanksgiving Day ever kept in America.
John Perkins was prominent in the affairs of the colony and lived
at Ipswich. His will is still extant. Some of his land bordered a brook
called by the curious name " Labor-In- Vain. " Members of the Perkins
family served their countrv in the colonial wars, the War of the Revolu-
tion and the War of 1812. '
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526 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Captain Aloiizo D. Porkins, the subject of this sketch, was the son of
Dorman and Nancy Perkins and was born in Brunswick, Maine, in 1814.
Following his father in a seafaring life, he became a ship builder and
sailor, entering the coast trading with his father at the early age of four-
teen. Later he sailed between New Yorlc and Liverpool, and other ports
on the continent of Europe, and made voyages from New York to the
West Indies. In 1839 he came as far west as Buffalo, was employed
in fitting out the Brig Osceola and as captain sailed the vessel to Chi-
cago, On the return voyage he brought back the first load of wheat
ever shipped in bulk from that port. In August, 1844, he came to
Monroe and took command of the steamer General Wayne. In that
same year he married Miss Katharine Norman, daughter of Abraham
and Marianne Norman of this city who had recently come from Norfolk,
England. He afterward took command of the fine line of steamers run-
ning between Monroe and Buffalo, when the L. S. & M. S. railroad from
the city to Adrian was the only line in this section of the country. He
was commander in succession of the steamers Southerner, Baltic, South-
em Michigan, Western Metropolis and the City of Buifalo; the latter
being the fastest steamer ever known on the lakes up to that time. Dur-
ing this time he became widely known along the lakes and bore the hon-
ored and well deserved reputation of being the most trustworthy com-
mander on the Great Lakes. About this time he was appointed commo-
dore of the Lake Erie fleet.
He remained as commander on the lakes until the completion of
the railroad connections between the East and the West, when the line
of steamers from this port to Buffalo was abandoned. In 1861 he went
to New York to superintend the construction of the Morning Star of
which he became commander. As captain of this large vessel, he made
several trips between New York and New Orleans, when in 1862 he re-
tired to his home in Monroe. Among his achievements as lake and ocean
captain, he commanded the first vessel which went down the lakes past
the rapids in the St. Lawrence river and around to New York, which
trip was at that time considered quite a feat. During all his varied ex-
perience as commander of ocean and lake vessels. Captain Perkins never
met with an accident. After retiring from seafaring he became govern-
ment inspector of ships on the Great Lakes.
Among honors, shown him on his seafaring life, was the presenta-
tion by the citizens of Buffalo of a fine set of colors for his steamer, this
set of colors, consisting of five silk flags: the American flag, two com-
modore flags, a pennant and a Jack. Accompanying the gift was the
following letter:
"Commodore A. D. Perkins, Steamer City of Buffalo.
"Dear Sir: — We, citizens of the city of Buffalo, do pray you to
accept the accompanying Commodore Pennant as a slight testimonial to
the high esteem with which we regard you as a gentleman and sailor,
and of the just pride we feel in having so noble and splendid craft bear
the name of our prosperous city.
So long as you guide her gallant prow as she cleaves the green waves
of Brie, may the sight of your broad penant, as it flutters in the breeze
and the memory of happy associations connected with it, cherish anew
within our hearts mutual feelings of regard and lasting friendship."
One of the Buffalo papers in mentioning the presentation of flags
said:
"We can only add that a worthier man, a more gallant sailor and
more perfect gentleman never received a compliment. Captain Perkins
is one of our oldest navigators and has in all situations as commander,
man and Christian, commanded the entire confidence and esteem of all
who have known him."
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 527
The following is also a testimonial of the regard with which he was
considered.
Office of the New York Mail Steamship Co,, 161 Broadway New York,
September 3, 1863.
"Whereas, Capt. A. D. Perkins has tendered his resignation as Com-
mander of the good steamship Morning Star, to take effect from this
date, and
"Whereas, Capt. Perkins has heen from the commencement a true
and devoted friend of the enterprise and an experienced and trust-
worthy Commander, therefore be it
"Resolved, Hy the Board of Directors of the New York Mail Steain-
ship Co., that in accepting his resignation we part with Captain Perkins
with unfeigned regret.
"Resolved, That in the arduous duties he has been called upon to
perform he has shown a remarkable capacity, ever retaining the con-
fidence of this board and of the traveling community.
"Resolved, That we claim our - admiration of Captain Perkins as a
commander of rare ability and our respect for his many manly virtues,
and it is our sincere desire that health, happiness and prosperity may
ever attend him.
"Resolved, That the Secretary of this Board transmit to Captain Per-
kins a copy of these resolution."
The above resolutions were unanimously adopted. By order of the
Board, Jamer A. Raynor, President.
Robert J. Hubh.vkd, Secretary.
Captain A. D. Perkins,
Dear Sie: In transmitting to you the inclosed resolutions of the
Board of Directors of the New York Mail Steamship Co., I cannot let
the occasion pass without personally expressing the deep regret I feel
at parting the agreeable association which has existed between us since
our respective connections with this Company.
It has been ray pride to say that Captain Perkins had the helm of
The Morning Star ; it gave confidence with the assurance that no truer
man could command. I was very sorry that you deemed it expedient
to resign, and I can only add my best wish tliat every happiness may
ever attend you.
Very sincerely your friend,
ROBFRT J. HUBB.VKD.
161 Broadway, September 3, 1863,
Captain Perkins died at his home in Monroe, January 15, 1880, sur-
vived by Mrs. Perkins and four children — John N., Norman A., Mrs
James MacBride of Grand Rapids, and Mrs. P. A. Nims, of this city.
CAfTAix George W. Strong
Captain George W. Strong was born in the first month of the nine-
teenth century, at Glastonbury, Vermont, and came to Monroe in 1831,
where from that time, during his long and useful life, his years were
spent in active participation in the business and municipal affairs of
the city of his adoption. He died in Monroe in 1892 at the ripe age
of ninety-two. He was a man of sterling integrity, untiring, persistent
industry and generous impulses, through all the discouragements and
difficulties of the ordinary course of business, which he experienced at
various times, instead of yielding to these untoward circumstances and
failure of plans over which he had no control, they only stimulated him
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528 HISTORY OF MONROE COUXTY
to greater exertions hikI tlie undertaking of even more important and
ambitious projects, in whieli lie had the co-operatiou of his fellow citi-
zens who had uJibounded faith in, his integrity and business foresight.
Captain Strong's first venture in his chosen line of business was in
building a warehouse at the docks on the river below the city, and enter-
ing into the business of transportation, forming a partnership witli
R. G. Clark. He also i-ontraeted with the city to build a breakwater
at LaPlaisanee Bay hariwr, following which he built a fleet of scows to
be used as lighters for handling cargoes from vessels to the docks. He
built the first steamer ever launched in the Kiver Raisin, a light draught
vessel of small size, which was named the Elvira Smith. Aboiit this time
he also engaged in tiie grain trade between Jlonroe and nearby Cana-
dian ports anil added another boat, the Revenge; a store was built
at the do'ks, and did a large business in marine stores and farmers'
supplies. Ills business prospered and was expanded to meet the
demands of trade. lie next built the Helen Strong and placed her on
the Monroe and Buffalo route. Not long after, this steamer was lost in
a violent storm on Lake Erie, together with a $9,0<K) stock of merchan-
dise intc^nded for his stoi-e. This was a sad blow, for there was no
insurance, but this did not discourage the doughty captain.
When the shipping business at LaPlaisanee was abandoned, upon
the completion of the government canal betwet^n I^Ionroe and the piers,
he purchased and remo\-ed to the docks, the largest waiehonse there,
conveying it over tiie ice on the river during tiie following winter, where
he rebuilt anil used it for many years. He built, in 184S, another \ioa,t,
the steanu'r Baltimore, for the Buffalo trade, and erected and con-
ducted for a long time a hotel near the docks, which had a success-
ful caieer. That vicinity, at the lime, was a bustling and itnportant
business center; it was the only shipping port in the west for the
grain trade, wheat being brought here in wagons from points as far
west as St. .loseph county, 175 miles west of Monroe, and in the height
of the season it was not unusual to see gathered at the docks from two
hundred to three hundred teams waiting in line to transfer their loads
of wheat and oats, while scores of schooners and other sail vessels were
anchored in the river or tied up at the docks a^vaiting their turn to
receive the consignments to eastern markets. It is a uiatter of fact
that the first flour ever shipped out from Michigan was a consignment
of two huudrei.1 barrels from the port of Jlonroe, to New York ; this lot
of flour graded as superfine in that market and found a ready sale, thus
opening up successful commercial relations with eastern cities. This
flour was made in the mill of Miller and Tremain, of Monroe, (.'aptain
Strong associated with himself in his business enterprises, his four sons,
Thomas, Albert, William and Thurlow. At the advanced age of eighty
years, with his son Thomas, entered upon a new enterprise, the milling
business, in a building near the Monroe street bridge, which unfortu-
nately met with disaster and failure. His last days were spent at his
home in Jlonroe and when he was laid to rest it was with the respect
and veneration of a targe concourse of his fellow citizens. Capt. Strong
held -many municipal offices, having been elected supervisor, alderman,
and in 18;>3 was mayor of the city.
Captain Strong built and successfully conducted Strong's Hotel,
located on Washington street, for many years, until it was destroyed
by the disastrous fire which visited Monroe in 3868, the severest blow
that the Strong's ever experienced; the money loss exceeded $20,000,
with not a dollar of insurance on the property. Notwithstanding this
calamity, the bricks were hardly cold before arrangements were under-
taken to rebuild the hotel on a larger scale. The property of the old
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 529
Bank of River Raisin, on which stood that historic financial institution,
together with the Trinity Episcopal church property immediately in
llie rear, both at the southeast corner of the public square, were pur-
chased, and work commenced in the following spring upon a new and
modern hotel. "All hands" turned in to push the enterprise and soon
the present attractive and substantial "Park Hotel" rose from the ashes
of the former building. In the face of the disaster which had over-
taken the plucky Captain, it seemed like a stupendous undertaking
at the time, and it was ; but it was successfully carried out, and the new
hotel opened auspiciously with the Captain and his two sous, "William
and Tliurlow A., in charge as landlords and managers. It was an
example of the force and industry and perseverance under great dis-
couragements, which was a marked characteristic of the men.
Thnrlow A. Strong, the only living son, is a well preserved man of
8'S years.
Thomas G. Cole
was born in Canandaigua, New York. His father, Luther Cole, emi-
grated from Massachusetts in 1785. He carried the first mail on horse-
back, in a leather pouch strapped around him, through the Indian coun-
try to Utica; but was never molested, as the Indians respected and
admired his courage and honesty, and were wont to consult him on
matters of interest to the Six Nations. Bed Jacket was a devoted
friend, as well as other chiefs. Luther Cole was also engaged in survey-
ing the "Holland Purchase." He was a merchant for a number of
years in Canandaigua, where his children were bom and educated. He
valued an education above all things, as the following extract from one
of his letters, dated February 24, 1817, to his son, Harry S. Cole,
attests:
' ' I need not again remind you that it is altogether on account of the
expense I do not consent for you to come home at each vacation. You say
it is very unpleasant for you to stay in that 'Dutch Hole' (Union College).
I know it, my dear child, we all have to encounter many unpleasant
things in the course of our lives. I did not send you to college for
pleasure. You did not go there for pleasure, you went for an education
and it requires all my efforts and economy to keep you there until your
education is obtained ; besides once a year is often enough to come
liome, considering the distance."
Thus he early impressed upon his children the necessity of improving
tlieir opportunities, as well as a self-respecting economy. His chil-
dren were all remarkable for the purity of their language and general
intelligence. Those identified with Michigan were the Honorable
Harry S. Cole, of Detroit, who was attorney-general of the Territory
of Michigan, and distinguished as a lawyer; James Cole surveyed
some of the first lands in the state, and wrote a very readable account
of his travels; Joseph C. Cole, the younger brother, was also a fine
writer, and at various times interested with his brother, Thomas G.
Cole, in business; one daughter, Mrs. Harriet Cole Pifleld, was long a
resident of Monroe, and was noted for her brilliant wit and kind and
generous heart.
The subject of this sketch, Thomas G. Cole, was a pupil of the
celebrated Canandaigua Academy. He came with some of his com-
panions to Monroe in 1825, where he engaged in the mercantile businras
and various agricultural pursuits, as well as mills. He proved a very
public-spirited citizen to the growing settlement, and was ever foremost
in improving the material interests of the town. It was often said of
him, "To insure success in any public enterprise, it was only necessary
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530 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Thomas G. Cole should advocate or lead." He was identified with tlie
city canal, the first large brick hotel, the erection of the first brick block.
After leaving the mercantile business, he was largely interested in
railroads. Mr. Cole and the late Walter P. Clark were the contraetore
for constructing the road between Monroe and Hillsdale, of which when
finished he was appointed superintendent. He was next interested in
obtaining the right of way for a railroad from Monroe to Toledo,
which right when secured was sold to the Michigan Southern and
Northern Indiana Railroad Company. Mr. Cole obtained the eon-
tract for the construction of the road, and completed the work in one
year. It was then pronounced one of the best built roads in the state.
During the latter years of his life he devoted his time to a large and
beautiful farm on the north side of the river, fronting on Noble avenue ;
from that point it stretched north about a mile. He was interested in
some of the finest breeds of horses ever brought to the county, and in
the raising of mules, the sale of which proved valuable to his estate at
the outbreak of the war.
Mr. Cole married Miss Mary E. Disbrow, a beautiful and accom-
plished young lady of Monroe, who long presided over his home, and
has been foremost in promoting every good cause.
Mr Thomas Gf- Cole was noted for many sterling qualities. His
integrity, energy, honor and benevolence were conspicuous throughout
his useful life. He was a firm believer in Christianity, and when in
health, a constant attendant upon divine services.
He died in Detroit (where he was under medical treatment), July
25, 1862. Many of the citizens of Monroe repaired to Detroit to return
with his remains to Monroe, the railroad company of which he had
long been a director, seuding a special train. He left a wife and seven
children. The eldest is Mrs. James A. Raynor, of New York. The
oldest son, James Luther Cole, was born August 25, 18:i0 ; died April
25, 1880. The second daughter is Mrs. George Armitage, of Monroe.
The second son is Henry T. Cole, of Monroe.
Harriet P. Cole married Frank W. Tryon, of New York, in July,
1865, and now resides, with her daughter, Sara C, in the homestead
on Macomb street, MonTOe. Her eldest daughter, Annie R., married
Edward "Wilder, of Monroe, and now resides in Charlottesville, Vir-
ginia. The youngest daughter, Mary Disbrow Cole, married John
McClelland Bulkley, of Monroe, June 22, 1865, and now resides at No.
66, Macomb street. Their children are Harry C. Bulkley, a lawyer
(the firm of Campbell, Bulkley & Ledyard, Detroit;) Mrs. Arthur C.
Tagge, of Montreal, and Grace Chetwood Bulkley, the hitter dying in
Infancy.
Colonel John Andebwon'
was a very conspicuous and active pioneer of Monroe who came to the
River Raisin in 1800, and who by reason of his sturdy and upright
character was recognized as a most valuable acquisition to the settlement
of Frenchtown. He was of Scotch descent, and maintained the marked
characteristics of that race. He married Miss Maria Knaggs, at Maumee,
Ohio, whose brother James Knaggs became noted in connection with his
services during the War of 1812, on this border, particularly as a scout,
in the commands of Generals Harrison and Cass. He had two sons,
one bom at Maumee, named John, and one a native of Frenehtoivn,
named Alexander Davidson, who was an attorney in Monroe, and served
as iudge of probate of his county several terms. Hon. Warner Wing,
of Monroe, married the only daughter, Eliza. Many stirring adventure
and interesting incidents in the early experiences of Colonel Anderson
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 531
have been related by himself and his family, which filled up a life of
wonderful admixture of hazard and hardship as well as primitive
enjoyment.
Soon after the surrender at Detroit, Colonel Anderson, who had
from his efficiency as colonel of the militia and exertions as an organizer
became prominent, was a. marked man by Tecumseh and his hand, and
they were determined to take his life. The Colonel, with the small
number of Americans on the river, were compelled to leave to escape
the vengeance of the Indians, leaving his wife (the sister of James
Knaggs) in possession of his store and property. He then resided on
the site on Elm avenue now owned and occupied as the residence of
Theodore Ilgenfritz, Esq. A portion of the house was occupied as a
residence, the remainder as a store and fur-trading establishment, liber-
ally supplied with goods adapted to the wants of the Indians, together
with an abundant supply of fire-wafer. Mrs. Anderson was familiar
with the language of the various tribes of Indians, and had
as a clerk and helper in the store become well ac(|uainted with most of
the trading Indians. "When the news reached her of the capture of
General Winchester and his for(!es, knowing well the habits and customs
of the savages, especially when under the influence of litjuor, she hurried
to the cellar of the store, where the liquors were stored, and caused the
heads of the whisky barrels to be knocked in. The Indians burst in the
door, ransacked the store, then repaired to the cellar, prostrated them-
selves on their breasts and filled themselves with whiskey. When
drunk ahd wild, they returned to the portion of the house occupied as
a residence, with the most unearthly yells and whoops; emptied the
scalps they had gathered in bags on the parlor floor, and dancing around
the room, slapped the bleeding scalps against and bespattering and dis-
figuring the walls and ceiling. Mrs. Anderson was in the room adjoining,
seated on a large chest containing the money and valuables of her
husband. The Indians approached her in a threatening and menacing
manner, and with upraised tomahawks and knives commanded her to
I'ise up. She having often traded with them and speaking fluently their
language, raised her voice to its highest pitch and pointing her finger at
them, with the expression, "Shame! so many Indians fight one squaw!"
and was then, with the interference of two resolute Indians. Jeft
unmolested, retaining her treasures.
D.vNiEi, S. Bacon
was a native of the state of New York, having been born in Onondaga,
in July, 1798, He came to the then Territory of Michigan in 1835, and
settled permanently in Monroe, where he continued to reside during the
remainder of his life. His first occupation in his new sphere of action,
was as a school teacher, for some time conducting a private school in
the village. Circumstances led to his becoming interested in the develop-
ment of farming lands along the River Raisin, Ihe disposal of which to
incoming settlers in Monroe county engaged his attention for some
years. He afterwards became very much interested in the development
of farming and fruit lands in the northwestern portion of the state,
and an enthusiastic advocate of the attractions of this region, and its
future. His predictions have been more than realized. The Grand
Traverse region especially was given much time and attention. With
General L. S. Humphi'ey he engaged in a number of business enterprises
in Monroe, and was always an active and dependable factor in business
operations in the early days in Monroe. When a young man he was a
member of the legislative council of the territory, and subsequently
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532 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
appointed one of the associate judges. He was juc^e of the probate
court for three terms, and held other elective and appointive offices in
the county with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In
July, 1856, he was chosen eider in the First Presbyterian church of
Monroe. He was twice married, and to the first union was born one
child, a daughter, Elizabeth, who in 1864 was married to Major General
George Armstrong Custer. Judge Bacon ^vas a man, who, by the
rectitude of his character and life, his dignified though affable person-
ality, gained a wide circle of friends, and the esteem of all who knew
him. He died at his home in Monroe, which is now the site of the
federal building and post office, corner of Monroe and Second streets, in
May, 1866, at the age of sixty-eight years. This was, after the marriage
of his daughter, called the Custer home, because tlie General always
came here when duties in the army permitted, and which he loved
better than any other spot on earth.
Walter P. Clarke
Among the earlier residents of Jlonroe, who was an active business
man, and was connected with many of the enterprises of the city and
state, was the subject of this sketch. Mr. Clarke was bom in Rhode
Island, came to Michigan in 1832, and settled in Monroe in 1834, where
he commenced the grocery business, which he continued for some years.
In 1842, he was elected mayor of the city, and until his removal west, in
connection with railroad construction contracts, he was one of the lead-
ing business and public men of the place. In connection with the late
Thomas G. Cole, Mr. Clarhe was a moving spirit in the construction of
the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad from Monroe to
Adrian. They founded the village of Deerfield, and built the mills at
that place. After the completion of this work, Mr. Clarke, with his three
sons (Walter P., Stephen G., and Frank B. Clarke), undertook heavy
contracts for construction of sections of track on the Michigan Central,
the Illinois Central, the Rock Island, and the Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy Railroads. After the completion of these enterprises he pur-
chased a farm near Galesburg, Illinois, upon which he resided for several
yeara, but finally returned to Monroe, where he died, April 11, 1870.
Joseph B. Gale
Joseph B. Gale was born in Monroe, June 24, 1830. He was the son
of Samuel and Martha Gale, who were early settlers in this county.
Mr. Gale lived with his parents on the Gale farm, now known as the
county farm, until he was twenty-three years of age. Being fond of
adventure, he determined to seek his fortune in the far west. He went to
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he remained about six years, during which
time he made several hazardous trips through Kansas and the Indian
territory, where he with companions encountered severe fighting with
the Indians. In 1859 he was one of the first adventurers to Pike's Peal;
and camped on Cherry Creek, the present site of Denver. He undertook
and was successful in carrying freight supplies from Leavenworth to
Denver, each trip requiring about three months. In 1861, when th^
war broke out, he accompanied General Lane as a scout and later was
engaged by the government, acting in the same capacity, constantly
riding through Kansas, Missouri and Indian territory. At the close of
the war he went to Montana, prospecting, and traveled through the Big
Horn valley, where General Custer and his noble band were massacred.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 533
In the fall of 1870, after an absence of eighteen years, he returned to
Monroe where he has since made his home. In 1872 he was married to
Mrs. Mary Harrington, mother of Captain I. S. Harrington. Their
married life proved an exceptionally happy and congenial one until her
death seven years ago. Mr. Gale has served in the capacity of county
agent for the State Board of Correction and Charities for the past fifteen
years, having been appointed by Gov. Hazen S. Pingree ; he proved to be
faithful and devoted to his trust. His love for children fitted him in an
especial manner for this work. He was equally loved and respected by
them, as their many acts during his life and last illness testify, and many
of them were planning for his annual party to be given him on his 82d
birthday on June 24th. On Monday, May 13th, he was stricken with
paralysis from which he failed to rally, and on Saturday evening, May
25th, 1912, he passed away.
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CHAPTER XLI
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
Indian Deed to Site op Monroe — The Legend of the Floral City —
Prom First Monroe Newspaper — Monroe and the A^alley in 1833
— Arcadian Picture of Monroe (Lanman) — Whipping Post Used
IN Monroe — Horse Thieves and Their Cure — Target Shooting
AND Shooters — Shipwreck and Legend of the "Favorite" — IJrest
AND Newtort — New Dublin and Waterloo— lNC0RP0it.vTED Vil-
lages (Census of 1910)— Population (1810-1910).
Indian Deed to Site of Monroe
Tiie site of the city of Monroe, containing twenty acres, was the
gift to Colonel Francis Navarre, by the Pottawotamie tribe of Indians,
who were the inhabitants of all the southwestern portion of the north-
western territory, which became the territory of Michigan, afterwards
organized into the state of Michigan. The original deed is still in the
possession of the descendants of Colonel Navarre, and is a most interest-
ing document, written in the French language and signed by five of the
chiefs of the tribe, not autographs, of course, but by a rudely drawn
figure of the animal representing their Indian name. The following is
a translation of the deed, which is recorded in the register of deeds office
in the county of Wayne, in "Liber B. Folio 191 of deeds:" "We the
principal chiefs of the village of the Pottawat amies, know.
Ask i by
Mongi-a-gon
Oua-Oui-Attenne
Sac-Co- Nibbinne
that both in our own names, as well as with the consent of our village,
we declare that of our own good will, we have granted to Francis
Navarre, surnamed Schigoy, and to James, his brother, both our allies,
the whole extent of land which belongs to us on the side west of the River
Raisin, otherwise called by us, Namet-Cyby, beginning at the Mauinee
river road and extending to the end of prairie, going up Namet-Cyby ;
this comprises about twenty arpents in breath, by eighty or a hundred
in depth ; the whole could be determined by a line drawn south in length
and a line drawn north in breadth, going up the Namet-Cyby ; that they
themselves and their representatives may enjoy the whole in full owner-
ship and perpetuity. We have in faith and testimony of this made
the ordinary marks of our signatures at Detroit, on the third day of
June, 1785.'
' ' Signed :
"Askiby, (represented by a rabbit)
"Oua-Oui-Atfenne, (represented by two fish^
"Sae-Co-Nibinne, (represented by an elk)
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 535
"Min-giia-iiian, (represented by a bear)
"Wana-Quito, (represented by a beaver)
"Witnessed; Chas, Campaux, his X mark,
"Peter De Coinpte, his X mark.
"In the presence of the undersigned witness by his ordinary mark
of a cross has signed the present deed. Peter Labadie, his X mark."
Among the interesting papers in the possession of the Navarre family
is a commission from General Lewis Cass, territorial governor of Michi-
gan, appointing Francis Navarre a lieutenant colonel of the militia,
dated at Detroit, December 13, 1813; also another one from the same
source, appointing Mr. Navarre associate justice of the county court,
for the county of Monroe. The tract of land conveyed by these Pottawo-
tomies, extended from the present Scott street, eastward toward the old
river bend and southerly as far as Woodchuek creek. The old homestead
known as "Winchester's headquarters, therefore, stood near the westi.'rn
boundary of this Ijmd.
The Legend of the "Fi«rai- City"
Monroe, for more than half a century has been known, far and wide,
as the "Floral City," a title generally accepted as an appropriate as
well as a beautiful one— well conferred, because of the wealth of flowers
and abundance of ornamental shrubbery that have adorned the private
grounds of its people. Comparatively few. however, now living kno\»'
how, when or where the formal christening took place.
This is the legend — duly authenticated: The i«easion which offered
the opportunity, was the ceremonious opening of the extension of the
line of the Michigan Soiithern & Northern Indiana Railroad in 1852,
from Monroe to the piers, to connect with a line of steamlwats which had
been built for the new lake route to Buffalo. To inaugurate this new
departure, the railroad company projected a "grand excursion" from
Buffalo to Chicagix The officers recognized the golden opportunity to
extensively advertise its line in eompetitioji with the Michigan Central,
which had already taken steps to establish such a route from Detroit as
a feature to avoid the discomforts of an "all rail" journey. The rivalry
between the two companies became very keen, and every attractive
feature that could be devised by the fertile minds of the publicity
departments were put out where they would "do the most good." About
this time, too, an active strife was on to secure the contract from the
post office department of the government for carrying the mail from
Buffalo to Chicago, "time being the essence of this contract," it was
finally determined by the department, to decide the nuitter by a contest
between the two lines in a practical test of speed Iwtween Buffalo and
Chicago. The steamer "Mayflower" of the Michigan Central, its fastest
boat, and the "Northern Indiana" of the Aliehigan Southern, were
selected to enter this race, the last named being commanded by the late
Captain A, D. Perkins of Monroe.
The Michigan Southern officials did not ignore this golden opportun-
ity, to interest the public in the projected excursion, and advertised the
new line in the most alluring terms and the most glowing phraseology
known to even the theatrical advance agent. Tt is not remembered
whether the Michigan Central people adopted this method of publicity
or some other equally effective one, but it is not to be supposed that the
matter was altogether ignored. At any rate, on the appointed day, the
"Northern Indiana," "spic and span" sailed from Buffalo with a large
.passenger list, and an average cargo of freight. In view of the test of
speed to be made, with so much at stake, it is by no means probable that
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536 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
extraordinary efforts were made to increase the tonnagp in the hold.
She arrived at Monroe piers, slightly ahead of the scheduled time, and
was loudly cheered as she entered the harbor, all colors gaily flying, and
the proud commodore on the bridge. Here the best appointed train
which the Michigan Southern could at that time boast, drawn by the
fleetest and most powerful locomotive in service, all abundantly decorated
was waiting to take on board the eastern excursionists, which it did
after they had partaken of a sumptuous breakfast served at the com-
pany's hotel, the Lake House, presided over by that well remembered
and capable landlord, Dnniel Dunning, (long since dead). The trip had
begun and was progressing most auspiciously, the excursionists were in
a fraine of mind which was described by the commodore as one of
"elated amiability."
The train was soon on its way across the two and a half miles of
marsh which waved its billows of rice and other wild grasses and
blooming flowers intervening between the lake and the city. Arriving
at the public square they found nearly the entire population assembled
in gala attire — a fine band giving forth most enlivening airs and a half
hundred or more charming little misses in white, whose fluttering ribbons
and great baskets overflowing with the fragrant summer blossoms, were
the crowning glory of the event; the flowers were distributed among
tlie delighted visitors and the surplus scattered along the track in front
of the train.
And here occurs the "active principal" of our "legend." As the
train drew to a stand still in the square, an immense banner was thrown
across the street bearing this device : ' ' The Floral City Welcomes You. ' '
A silver tongued orator took up tlie theme and descanted in glowing
words upon the numberless beauties, compelling attractions, and the
glories of its luminous future to be realised under the influence of the
blessings of the now completed line between the east and west. The
"dedicating banner" incident was immensly a success, and the "Floral
City" was on every tongue — the deafening cheers, drowned the Ware
of the brass, and the loud hissing of the locomotive steam. It was a
notable occasion, seldom excelled even in RIonroe, where succeeding
public functions are never allowed to diminish in glory.
The half hundred little flower girls are now proud grandmothers of
other little girls who are only waiting the psychological moment to
distinguish themselves. It is said that the honor of having suggested
the name Floral City rests with Mrs. David A. Noble, a prominent and
distinguished lady of Monroe, who then resided on Washington street,
and who passed away many years ago. The excursion train passed on
its way to Chicago, taking on at Monroe, city officials and at other
stations along the line, similar guests ; the contest carrying with it the
mail contract, was won by the Michigan Southern company by a very
close margin.
First Monroe Newspai'er
Extracts from a .iournal kept by Edward D. Ellis, who published the
first newspaper in Monroe in the years 1825 to 1836.
February 11, 1827; At a numerous meeting of our citizens held on
Saturday evening last, a petition was adopted to be presented to the
legislative council praying for an act of incorporation. Our citizens
were somewhat divided in opinion on the subject, and two parties sprang
up ; the majority, however, were decidedly in favor of the improvement.
The vote stood forty-three for the incorporation, nineteen against.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY oB7
March 17, 1827: The persons coiieerinsd in the illegal seizure of
a black, at Waterloo, without the formality of law, were a Air. Pine from
Virginia as principal, Mr. Allen, (now in jail) who has been for some
months under the tutorage of Captain Thorpe, of Swan Creek, and two
citizens of this village. Their examination on Saturday last, before Peter
P. Terrj-, resulted in this commitment, under bonds of $250 each t-o
appear at the next term of county court. Mr, Pine produced a power of
attorney, {whether genuine, I know not) from tlie owner of the slave
in (juestion, certified by the proper officers of the state of Virginia.
April 14, 1827: A flourishing settlement has been commenced on
the Saline, near the salt springs in Washtenaw county. The tirst actual
settler located there on the 5th of April, 1826, and so rapidly has the
population increased by emigration, that the inhabitants there were
enabled to raise a saw mill, owned by the Messrs, Parsons, compo.sed of
heavy timbers, without the aid of their neighbors. The salt springs, it
is tbought vAl\ eventually be worked to great advantage, and the soil
in the vicinity is of excellent quality. This settlement is about thirty
miles from La Plaisanee Bay harbor, which is its nearest shipping point.
May 12, 1827: The first election in Monroe for village officers,
resulted as follows: For president, John Anderson, 36; Jeremiah Law-
rence, 36.
This vote being a fie, the choice was decided by lot in favor of
Anderson.
For trustees — Hiram C. Brown, 67 ; Ezekiel A. Peltier, 46 ; Edward D.
Eilis, 38 ; Peter P. Terry, 38 ; Anthony L. Briggs, 36 ; Charles Noble, 35 ;
Harry Cona-nt, 34; James Shew, 31; Aleott A. Chapman, 20; Robert G.
Clark, 7. For treasurer. Thomas Wilson, 38 ; John Germain, 34. For
marshall, Oshea Stowel, 3!) ; Levi S. Humphrey, 21, John W, Anderson,
11.
Strange disappearance : A very respectable citizen, Mr. Oshea Stowel,
(one of the above candidates for village marshal), is missing, and fears
are entertained that he is not living. He was last seen at Gillet's wharf
in Detroit, on tbe evening of the 10th inst, since which time he has neither
been seen nor heard from. Mr. Stowel is about thirty-five years of age,
about five and one-half feet high, thick set, well dressed. The general
impression is that he is either drowned, or has been murdered.
May 19, 1827 : Diligent search has been made for Mr. Stowel in
and about the Detroit river, on Grosse Isle, and on the beach of the
lake in this county; and although every possible search has been made
in other parts of the territory and opposite Detroit, in Canada, yet no
satisfactory information has been obtained respecting him. Prom the
well established character of the man, bis comparative prosperous circum-
stances in life and surrounded by a small but interesting family, it
seems hardly possible that he has voluntarily absented himself. But
how to account for his continued absence all are at a loss.
La PL.A.ISANCE B,VY Harbor Company
June 2, 1827 : At the annual meeting of the above company held on
the 30th ult, the following were chosen directors of the company: Aleott
C. Chapman, Charles Noble, Levi S. Humphrey, John Anderson and
Harry Conant. John Anderson, Levi S. Humphrey, Oliver Johnson
were chosen to superintend the next annual election. The directors chose
the following officers for the ensuing year : Levi S. Humphrey, president ;
Edward D. Ellis, secretary; Oliver Johnson, treasurer.
May 2, 1827 : The first township election, in Monroe township
(county of Monroe) resulted as follows: For supervisor, Samuel Choate;
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538 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
township clerk, Edward D. Ellis; assessors, Samuel Choate, Joseph G.
Navarre, Jeremiali Laivrence ; commissioners of highways, Daniel Mulhol-
len, Hiram Brown, Samuel W. Gale ; overseers of poor, William W. Gale,
George Alford.
Village of Monroe : Constables, James McMannus, Ethel Burch ;
pound master, "Walter Gray ; fence viewers, Wm. Page, Francis Robert,
Akeu Duval, David Barker.
First Exi-ort of Flour prom Michigan
June 23, 1827 : Our enterprising fellow citizens Miller and Germain,
have recently shipped from La Plaisance Bay, for the city of New York,
two hundred barrels of flour, manufactured at their mills in this village.
This is claimed to be the first flour shipped from Michigan, and the fact
speaks loudly in favor of our manufacturing and commercial prospects,
and is an evidence of the great change that has taken place in this
section of the country within a few years past. Should this specimen
of Michigan flour pass in the New York market, for "surperfine," and
there can be no doubt that it wili^the proprietors will be greatly
encouraged, and it will open tlie ^\ay for much more extensive exporta-
tions of this article.
August 25, 1827: P. Navarre, an enterprising Frenchman of this
village, killed, the other day, at a single shot 148 black birds in one of
his fields.
Septemlwr 15, 1827: Colonel Hubert La Croix died in Frenchtown
on the 14th inst, aged forty-eight years ; he was one of the earliest settlers
of this county, and a member of the legislative council of the territory,
since the establishment of that body. He was an able and useful man.
November 19, 1827: The election for members of the legislative
couneil. in Jfonroe and Lenawee counties resulted in the following vote:
Monroe Lenawee Total
Wolcott Lawrence 168 41 209
Charles Noble .■12;i 74 197
Laurent Durocher 170 26 196
Chas. James Lanman 109 75 184
Peter P. Terry 102 12 114
Edward D. Ellis 42 00 42 .
Darius Comstock 51 'i9 90
The townships then organized in Monroe county, in which the votes
were east, were Monroe, Frenchtown, Raisinville, Port Lawrence. In
Lenawee county, the townships were Tecuraseh, Logan, Elissfield and St.
Joseph.
Monroe and the Valley in 183'S
A very full and favorable account of a visit to Monroe, by a resident
of Neir York, in 1833 is given in a series of letters to an old friend in his
native state, which Is a faithful pen picture of the old town and as a
feature of unusual interest is given, as an evidence of the impres-
sions made upon a disinterested intelligent observer three-quarters
of a century ago, when Monroe was conspicuously a rival of Detroit, and
the entrepot of much of the supplies for the new and growing western
territory, and a large proportion of the emigration from the eastern
state. This visitor was making a tour through the west. He came to
Detroit by steamer from Buffalo, and to Monroe by stage eoaeh. His
interesting first letter is dated :
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PUSTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 539
"Monroe, Michigan, December S, IS'S'S — The drive from Detroit
hither is a very dull one at this season of the year. The road leads
through a level wooded country, and the muddy streams creep over the
fat black soil, as if they had gormandized upon its rich vegetation, till
grown too lazy for locomotion. Among others, the Huron river from
which, seeing that it rises in one of the l)riglitest and most beautiful
lakes in the peninsula, north of Ann Arbor, better things might be
expected, waddles along to Lake Erie, as little disturbed by the tlocks of
ducks which frolic on its bosom as an alderman, after diimcr, by the
flies that hum about his head. Occasionally, indeed, some bright little
rill ripples across the road, and over the pebbles on its way to the big
lake. The ride is finished in about eight hours — not a breakneck pace
for a distance of thirty-six miles !
"The village of Monroe in the county of the same name from which
I now write, is situated on the banks of the River Kaisin about two and
a half miles from its entrance into Lake Erie. It was incorporated
some two years ago, and comprises a portion of the old site of French-
town, celebrated as you know, in the annals of the last war with Great
Britain. The place is said to be regularly laid out, but the most business
part of it— and it is tlie fussiest little town in the world — looks as if the
buildings had all been tossed from the other side of the river, and left
to settle just where they might fail. If the place continues its present
rate of growth, (the population having doubled in a year) the inhabi-
tants can afford to burn down the river side of the village and arrange it
to greater advantage — to say nothing of adding to its appearance. There
are, at tliis time, alwut one hundred and fifty buildings, of which some
are of stone; some of the business houses are wholesale establishments,
and make a very attractive display of their wares. There are also two
grist mills immediately in the town, a woolen factory, an iron foundry,
several sawmills, a chair factory, a tannery, etc., etc. And yet, notwith-
standing the ample water power, affording every facility for the use of
jnachinery, the demand for labor is very great, so tliat mechanics of
every kind, here and in Detroit find ready and constant employment at
good wages. 1 have seen them advertised for Ijy written notices and
hand bills ou tavern doors, blacksmith, shops and elsewhere The
emigrants to the territory are, I discover, of a very respectable class, who
have the means and disposition to employ others around them.
"The bank of the River Raisin, is established at this place, with a
capital of $100,000 ; one Thomas Manning, a business man of New York
state being one of the most active in its organization in which Monroe
merchants and other citizens are largely interested. Though in its
infancy, is said to be doing a large and flourishing business. The notes
are among the handsomest specimen of bank note engraving I have seen,
anywhere. There is also a state land office here, at which the sales
of public lands since April, amount to $22,000, exceeding the sales for
the same period the land offices at Detroit and White Pigeon. The
government price of land ($100 for 80 acres) being the same in every
part of the territory ; this will afford you some idea of the emigration
into the territory, the progress of settlement. I must not forget to
mention that with a population of only sixteen hundred souls, five
religious denominations are represented in their respective clergymen at
IMonroe. and that three of these, the Roman Catholic, Episcopal and
Presbyterian have each a neat church of their own. T may add that a
newspaper, with a good circulation (the Michigan SciitinH) is printed
here.
"The advantages of Monroe, situated as it is at the head of Lake Erie,
induced the government to make an appropriation for improving the
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540 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
harbor, which cxuept that at Maumee is the only one at this end of the
lake. The lamented Major Maurice of the Engineer Corps (who, you
may remember, fell to the floor and instantly expired when in the act
of shaking hands with General Gratiot, in Washington last winter) and
whom the inhabitants of this place speak of with the tenderest remem-
brance, made minute surveys of the harbor and of the channels of the
river; and upon whose reports upon the bills introduced into congress
for their improvement were based. A bill was passed at the last
session of congress, appropriating $8,000 for rebuilding the pier at
the mouth of the river and also appropriating $20,000 for a road
from La Plaisance Bay — through which the River Raisin debouches into
Lake Erie, to intersect the Chicago road, which traverses the whole
peninsula at a point forty miles from here ; an improvement which will
open a new market to southern and western Michigan and contribute of
course, to the prosperity of Monroe. A bill was passed by both houses
appropriating $15,000 for a canal to connect the waters of the River
Ilaisin and Lake Erie, by a eut across the bar at the mouth of the
Raisin. Tlie money has not been expended however, in consequence of
ati erroi' of the engrossing clerk, in omitting this important item from
the hill, has prevented the bill from becoming a law. The moneys appro-
priated for the pier and road have already been mostly expended, and
those public works are now nearly completed under the active and
efficient superintendence of Captain Henry Smith of the Engineer
Corps. When all these improvements are completed, Monroe must have
come in for a large share of the immense trade and commerce which
must flow through the three outlets of eastern Michigan. The mouth
of the Maiimee can hardly compete with it on account of the extreme
■ unhealthiness of that swampy region ; but I am inclinde to think that
the enterprising inliabitants of Monroe are somewhat too optimistic in
their expectations, when they think of not only rivaling, but outstripping
tlie ancient city of the straits on the onward road to prosperity and
greatness. Detroit, like every other point selected by the French on the
western waters of our country is as favorable and commanding a posi-
tion as could be chosen. The Monroeites, are however a most driving
people in their way. They are now building a steamboat of the largest
class, which will cost not less than $45,000, to ply between this place and
Buffalo; and this morning, saw launched a beautiful schooner for the
lake navigation. It was the first launch that had ever taken place at
Monroe, and the occasion caused a general turn out of the inhabitants,
who hurried to the spot, a mile or two distant, upon horses of every
description and appearance. There was the bull-necked, long maned
French pony and his scraggy looking Indian cousin, the sleek-looking
Ohio horse, and the clean-limbed, quick-gathering Kentuckian, gallop-
ing along with the swift but shuffling Rliode Island pacer, and the high-
actioned, trim-looking New York trotter. Everyone rode as if for a
wager, whether on horseback or in the caleche — or French cart. When
the procession or crowd finally arrived at the dock, there was decidedly
as much horse talk as interest in the marine event. A very good and
full brass band composed of amateur talent of the village, came at last
upon the ground and brought the spectators back to the subject in hand
— first the selection of a name for the new vessel, which many wished to
have changed from the hackneyed one of "Diana" to the more charac-
teristic and appropriate one "Tecumseh," on account of the association
of the neighborhood with the great chief, but finally compromised on the
"Revenge."
"I was in conversation with an old gentleman and learned that he
had been a field officer during the late war and had met him in two or
tlirce affairs. 'So you know Tecumseh, then, sir?' said I. 'I did, sir,' he
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 541
replied, 'and 1 believe he was as thorough a gentleman and as high-
toned an officer as any in the British service, and far superior to many
of them— notably Proctor and some others.' Tecumseh actually held a
commission as a general officer immediately from the King of Great
Britain. 'What, then, sir, do you think of the massacre upon this spot?'
I asked. 'The barbarity of that act, was only in accordance with Indian's
ideas of warfare. The disgrace of it attaches entirely to the English
officer, (Proctor) who permitted, possibly sanctioned, the atrocities.'
The old officer's blood seemed to kindle with indignation as he dwelt
upon that horrible slaughter of a force *hieh had capitulated on honor-
able terms, with a full reliance upon the promise of the civilized foe for
protection from the violence of his savage allies.
"I asked him about the sick and wounded, who were burnt up in the
hospital, or shot to death as they fled shrieking through the flames. ' I
saw their bones,' he replied, 'when the ruins were still recent; I came on
with the corps of Kentuckians which advanced soon after into this
country, and suleequently so eagerly avenged their countrymen at the
battle of the Moravian town, where Tecumseh was killed. I walked to
the place where the wounded met their fate on the banks of the Raisin,
with several others, one of whom was Colonel Richard M. Johnson, the
man who had the distinction of ending Tecumseh 's career, as he was on
the point of throwing his tomahawk into the colonel's breast. Colonel
Johnson did not speak as he looked upon the bodies of the murdered
men, in the deep pit arranged for their burial—but as he turned away
with tears flowing down his cheeks, he exclaimed: "there lies the best
blood of Kentucky, spilled in the defense of the poor settlers of this
beautiful valley." The words are as nearly those used by the old
Kentuekian as I can remember them, in describing this sad spectacle.
Of the seven hundred young and brave fellows who met their cruel death
here, most of them were of the best families; lawyers, law students,
voung physicians, merchants, and the sons of opulent farmers and
planters— ^in short the very flower of Kentucky. One family alone lost
a father, two brothers, an uncle and a cousin, the youngest not yet
seventeen. '
" 'Speaking of the troops who were concerned in the early operations
in this region' continues my narrator in his letter. 'I have heard a
number of interesting accounts from different pei-sons of the formation
of the several corps. One of these I will venture to repeat : A graduate
of William's College, Massachusetts, who had been recently admitted to
the bar, was riding through the State of Kentucky, possibly with the
design of finding some favorable place at which to fix his abode and
commence the practice of his profession, when he was accosted near a
village by a mounted traveller, who mentioned that he was a planter in
the vicinity, and invited the young advocate, witJi all the freedom and
cordiality of western hospitality, to take dinner with him. The invita-
tion was gladly accepted, and the eastern gentleman, arriving at the
mansion of his unknown host, found quite a party assembled, the
majority of whom were apparently ae{|uainted with each other, while
many were strangers, like himself, and no doubt invited in the same
informal way. The dinner was got through sociably enough ; and by the
time that the bottles had circulated freely around the board, all felt
that easy confidence in the fellowship which characterizes the convivial
gathering. The host, then rising, d^eribed briefly the state of the north-
western frontier, and produced a commission from his pocket, author-
izing him to raise a corps of riflemen and prepare to march at once to a
stated rendezvous. Every man at the table enlisted; their entertainer
was apparently provided with every necessary for such a voluntary
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542 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
movement, and forthwith supplied them on the spot with rations, guna
and ammunition. They were given a day to bid adieu to relatives or
friends, and the following day this little band of volunteers started on
their march to the border. The name of the patriotic host is not remem-
bered, but the young man from the east, of military bearing, was chosen
lieutenant and soon after became a captain, afterwards better kno^vn
as major, colonel, genera!, governor and lastly as Mr. Secretary Cass. I
regret now, that I did not inquire into and note down the names and
particulars of a relation so striking; but you have the tale as it was told
in my hearing minus the admirable manner of the relation.
"But I am forgetting the launching! The burst of stirring music
from the band indicates that she is moving towards her future element,
where she soon rides in graceful ease and dignity. The ride down to
these docks is rather a pleasant one, but to be candid, I have seen hand-
somer rivers than the 'Riviere aux Raisins,' as it is termed by the French.
"It would delight an eastern farmer to see the magnificent pear
trees, which, rising to a height of the tallest forest trees and of the
growth of a century, extend through orchards and along the north and
south division lines of farms for two miles or more, along the river.
Here, too, are apple trees, grand, luxuriant — (to the excellence of whose
fruit I can testify,) that were brought to New France in 1731. The
grape vines also, from which the rivsr takes its name constitute a beauti-
ful feature in the level landscape, as they hang in rich and luxuriant
festoons along the banks of the stream, or climb wherever a tree offers
the opportunity, to the tops of the loftiest elms,
"The subject of canals and railroads awakens at this time, the keenest
interest in Michigan ; and Monroe has several projects of her own ; after
the route of the proposed grand communication between Lakes Erie and
Michigan, through the peninsula shall be determined upon by the general
government, 1 have no doubt that lai^ and advantageous outlays of
private capital upon similar works, will be made at other points. I
recommend that you come west and 'view the landscape o'er' for
yourself.
"Tomorrow I start for the interior.
"Yours faithfully,
"C. II, II."
The letters of this interesting and intelligent observer continue to
describe his experience westward, on horseback, through the entire
county of Monroe, and then into Lenawee, Jackson and Calhoun counties,
and so on to the Mississippi river, which form an attractive narrative of
the early days in Michigan and the northwest.
Arcadian Picture op Monroe (L.\nm.vn)
Charles Lanman, the younger, the poet-author, who was born and
grew to manhood in Monroe, lived ivith his father's family in a large
frame dwelling on the bank of the River Raisin, on the south side of
Front street, corner of Scott street, which was still standing until a few
years ago, was a popular and entertaining writer, as well as an agreeable
gentleman, highly esteemed in the village ; he was fond of introducing in
his writings descriptions of Michigan and the scenes in and about
Monroe.
Mr. Lanman was strongly attached to his native town, and while his
enthusiastic nature led him, sometimes to imaginative sketches and highly
colored pen pictures of the rural environments, they were sincere and
were read with general interest and admiration, and with due allowance
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 543
for iiis ardent nature. One of his works: "A Suninicr in the "Wilderness"
now lies open before me, and from it I quote: '■Notwithstanding the
comparative newness of Michigan, its general aspect is ancient. The
ruin of many an old fort and stockade may be discovered on its borders,
reminding the beholder of wrong and outrage, blood and strife. This
was once the home of several nations of the red man; here lived and
loved the Algoniiuin, the Pottawottamie, the Shawanese, the Ottowa,
the names of whose wariior chiefs — Pontiae, the proud and hanghty,
and Tecumseh, the fearless — will long be treasured in history. I have
stood upon their graves, which are marked only by a blighted tree, and
an unhewn stone, and have sighed deeply as 1 remembered their deeds.
But they have gone, like the lightning of a summer day!
"It is a land of tradition all about here. We are told that the
Indian hunters of old saw fairies and genii floating over its lakes and
streams, and dancing through its lonely forests. In these did they
believe, and to please them was their religion. The streams rolled their
liquid silver to the lake, broken only by the fish that flashed in their
current, or the swan that floated upon their surface. Vegetation flour-
ished alone, Roses bloomed and died, to be trampled upon by the
deer or savage ; strawberries studded the ground like rubies, where the
green and sunny hillsides reposed amid the silence like sleeping infants
in the lap of the forest; the fog which sometimes hung in clouds over
its marshes spread no pestilence nor foreboding. The panther, the fox,
the deer, the wolf, the bear roamed fearless through the more remote
parts of the domain, for there were none to dispute with them their right
or their inheritance.
"But clouds thickened. In the darkness of night, and silence of the
wilderness, the tomahawk and scalping knife were forged for the work
of death. Speeches were made by the savages under the voiceless stai^,
which were heard by none save God and their allies; and the war-song
echoed from the hanks of the lakes where had never been heard the foot-
steps of civilized man. Then followed the horrors of war ; then and there
were enacted the triumphs of revenge and superstition. But those sounds
have died away; there remains only the story traced on the page of
history. The clink of hammer of the mechanic upon the ringing anvil,
the voice of rural labor, and the sound of Sabbath bells now echo
through these forests. The red man in his original grandeur of state
and stature has passed from the scene forever.
"The French, who first built their cabins in Michigan, and at as
early a date as 1620, and for many years they and the Indians were the
sole inhabitants. Here it was the Jesuit missionaries first pitched their
tents in our great commonwealth. Monroe is the modern name of
Frenchtown, a flourishing town, containing, possibly, four thousand
inhabitants, a goodly portion of them being descendants of the early
settlers, and, next to Detroit, is the best wheat market in the western
country. 'Nummasepee,' is ringing in my ear, and my whole being
and all my thoughts are on the river and in the village where I was born.
"Judging from the many accounts that I have read and heard,
Monroe must have been before the last war (1812), one of the most
delightful nooks in the world. Its original, wliite inliabitants were, as
stated, French, who had emigrated hither from Quebec, Montreal, and
other points in Canada. The families did not number more than fifty
or sixty, and the names of the most conspicuous were Navarre. Duval,
Beaubien, Bourdeaux, Couture, Nadeau, Bannac, Cicotte, Campau,
Jobien, Godfrey, Lasalle, Cousenau, Labadee, La Croix, Robert,
Durocher, Daussette, Loranger, Sancomb, Fournier, Bissonette, Eezeau
and others. They inhabitated what may be termed an oasis in the
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544 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
wilderness. Their farms all lay directly upon either side o£ the river,
and though principally devoted to agriculture, they were content with a
few acres of cleared land, which they tilled for their own subsistence;
beyond these on either hand, stood the mighty forests, in their primeval
solitude, and luxuriance, where
"Atway the winds made melody in air;
The whispering leaves fell down in colors rare ;
And shadows, like gray nuns, kneel as in prayer."
"Along in front of their doors glided the waters of Riviere aux
Raisins, undisturbed by the keel of any steamboat or white winged
vessel. Comfort and comeliness characterized their dwellings, made of
logs, scrupulously neat, and annually whitewashed, over which climbed
the wild rose and honeysuckle ; shaded by a great abundance of domestic
trees yielding their delicious fruits of their ancestral homes in France.
In their midst stood a little ivy covered chapel surmounted by a cross,
in which were observed the religious ceremonies of the Jesuits, or the
priests of other missionaries of the church. The soft toned bell that
summoned the 'habitant' to worship sent its echoes far into the wilder-
ness and its tones were wafted out over the sleeping lake. Here the
tumult of the great human world was never heard, and money, money-
getting and fame were not of the dreams of the simple folk for they were
at ease in their quiet lives. Their only intercourse was with the Indians,
the smoke of whose wigwams rose on every side, at all times; and the
coiireitrs de hois, who were the only people with whom they came into
familiar contact. From them they received valuable furs and peltries
by barter, and which they sent to far-away Montreal, where, in exchange,
they obtained the necessaries and many of the luxuries of life. They
maintained in a greater degree than one would think possible, the habits
and customs which accompanied them from the French provinces whence
they emigrated, and to some extent the garb, especially among the
gentlemen, while the peasants wore the long surtout, the sash, ceinture,
the red cap and the deer-skin moccasins. Also sometimes in the winter,
when the snows were deep the hunters wore the useful snow shoes. Their
knowledge of agriculture was very limited, and the policy of the fur
travelers was to keep down the spirit of improveinent in that respect. Of
com and wheat they were anxious to raise only enough to last them
during the year. A surplus of anything but furs they did not desire, and
never possessed. Their grain was ground in windmills, whose pictur-
esque forms added to the poetry of the scenery.
"Their amusements were such as they themselves instituted and
invented; the social dance, the music of the violin and their unaffected
assemblies in their own homes. The forest afforded them an abundance
of game which constantly led them to the hunt, and their beautiful
stream abounded in fish which they captured with the hook, the spear
and the net. A dreamy summer atmosphere seemed to rest upon this
region when viewed in the light of the olden time ; there was poetry !n
everything which met the eye; in the priest with cowl and satin vest-
ments, kneeling before a wooden cross on his way to the place of prayer ;
in the peasant, about his simple rural labors, in the rude Indians playing
their uncouth games on the smooth green sward or displaying their
dextrous feats in their bark. canoes; in the blue sky, which appeared to
wear a perpetual smile upon the virgin wilderness. There was even
poetry in the sounds that fell upon the ear, the lowing of the cattle and
the tinkling of their bells; in the rippling wafers, and the sound of the
p ivinds 8=! they sported with the forest trees and wandered away
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 545
laden witli the perfume of nameless flowers; in the singing of myriads
of birds, and in tho loud clear laugh of French and Indian children a^
they mingled together in simple sports. It all forms a chsmning picture,
and a pretty background to the succeeding years of growth and develop-
ment."
Whipping Post used in Monroe
The whipping post was one of the institutions under the territorial
hiw in Michigan, and Monroe made use of it to some extent in dealing
with "undesirable citizens." It proved quite effectual in banishing
rogues, even if it did not reclaim them. An instance of thoroughly
applying the remedy to evil doers, was the ease of one Thiebault, who
was whipped at the "town pump," which stood at the northeast comer
of the public square nearly in front of the present location of the
Presbyterian church, which was then the location of the court house. He
had committed a larceny of merchandise at Henry Disbrow's store,
(afterwards dames McBride's saddlery and harness shop). In Detroit
this form of punishment was not very uncommon, in 1823 and 1824.
Ttie whipping post there was near the market house which was on lower
Woodward avenue, near the site of the stone building, the second story
of which was for many years occupied by the Mariner's church, the
ground floor being utilized as a post office, hut now occupied by a
produce commission house. If was not creditable to the territory that
public whipping was allowed to be inflicted on Indians, negroes and
others convicted of various small offenses by the order of a single
justice. The not less barbarous custom of selling paupers to the highest
bidder, along with the disgusting spectacle of the ball-and-chain-gang
were not abandoned until 1835, when this relic of barbarism was for-
ever done away with in Michigan.
IIOKSE Thieves and Their "Curb"
The predatory animals of the country during its development, were
not all to be found in the classification of text books on natural history ;
horse thieves were among the most troublesome, and exasperating; many
a farmer's stable has been in a night cleared of its horses and presented
a most depressing picture where visited by the owner who not only
suffered this pecuniary loss, but the serious interruption of his farm
work, perhaps at a critical time when hours and days were golden. This
evil became so great and menacing, and the increase in the robbery of
stables so alarming, that "Horse Thief Societies" were formed, and a
convention, designated as a "Horse Thief Convention" was called, for
the purpose of organizing a general movement and concert of active
mutual protection, and to aid the ofScers of the law in capturing both
thieves and property. The following is the call issued for the
convention :
"It ^ very generally understood that a thoroughly organized band of
horse thieves are now operating among us. So well planned and well
timed are the numerous thefts of this band that but very few who lose
by it ever again see thief or property, notwithstanding large rewards
are offered and much money and time fruitlessly spent. We believe
that a 'State Horse Thief Society' should at once be organized with
branches in every county, that proper men should be selected by the
society in each county to be ready at all hours with horses for pursuit,
and a change of horses on hand at proper distances, thus obviating the
necessity of tracking step by step the course of the thief.
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546 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
"With the reward ordinarily offered by the loser, and a light tax or
admission fee from the members, such a society in our opinion can be
supported at a trifling expense to the members, and will accomplish
much towards the suppression of the crime of horse stealing and kindred
offences.
"Considering the many bold and successful horse thefts in this
vicinity within the past year, and the evident necessity of immediate
action, we assume to call a convention of delegates, to be holden at the
Court House in the City of Flint, on Tuesday, the 8th day of December
next, at 1 o'clock P. M. The delegates to be selected at the different
county conventions holden previous — three from each county, and to
be prepared with certificates of election regularly signed.
' ' The Press throughouf the State it is hoped will copy this call for
the benefit of the public.
James Seymour, C. Roosevelt,
J. B. Hamilton, W. H. Putnam,
John Galloway, A. J. Boss,
L. D. Morse, E. W. Fenner,
B. Carpenter, Asahel Fuller,
D. B. Lyons, B. F. Warner,
Theoph Miles, L. G. Buckingham,
J. Teschout, John Crawford,
Isaac Lyons and many others."
This matter, evidently, was one of great concern, and the interest
manifested in the proposition to inaugurate a campaign "offensive and
defensive" was general, and resulted in the organization of county
societies, whose activities resulted in the capture of many of the offenders,
and the recovery of much stolen property.
Old "Sile" Doty, was a character who was generally accredited with
more or less direct connection with "events" of this delicate nature
in the western part of the county, and numerous are the traditional
transactions in horse flesh without the formality of personal negotia-
tion, that could never be made to adhere to this enterprising person, but
which, nevertheless, were "laid up" against him, either because he
became too reckless in his operations, or because the olRcers of the
H. T. Society were sulSciently alert, he, once overstepped the bounds
of prudence in an adjoining county and as a consequence beeaiue a
guest of the state at Jackson for a short period. He seemed to lose his
appetite for this line of adventure, after this, and after reforming, died,
many years ago.
Target Shooting and Shooters
One of the favorite amusements of the early days of the settlements,
when business was not pressing, was the sport of target shooting
"Shooting matches" were very common, but especially just about
Thanksgiving day, or a few days before Christmas, when the thoughts
of the "provider" of the family larder were naturally turning towards
supplies for the festive season, and something a little superior to the
ordinary menu was expected and enjoyed. These occasions sometimes
developed an ingenious device for the sport and the prizes \i'ere various.
One of the old-time rifle shots relates numerous methods of conduct-
ing these gala events; he states that "in the latter part of the summer
our cattle got very fat ranging the meadows of luscious grass and
clover, and some owner, desirous of raising a little "easy money" on one
of his herd, would prepare a few notices, which he would stick up on the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 547
doors of taverns, biaeksmith shops, wagon shops, and other public places,
where they would be likely to be seen and read, stating that at a given
time and place, a first rate, fat steer would be shot for. The day having
arrived, every marksman in the township would be on hand with his
trusty rifle. After the company had assembled, a subscription paper
would be handed 'round, headed substantially as follows: "Abrara
Burchard offers a beef worth $20.00, to be shot for at twenty-five cents
a shot." Then the subscribers' names would follow: Daniel McCIoskey
puts in four shots, $1.00 ; Edward Pontney puts in eight shots, $2.00 ;
George Morris puts in two shots, $0.50, and so on, and so on, until the
amount of twenty dollars is reached. Two persons were then selected,
not entered for shots, to act as judges of the match. Every shooter would
get a board and make a cross in the center of his target. The shot that
drives the center, or comes nearest to it, gets the hide and tallow, which
is considered first choice. The next nearest gets the choice of the hind
(luarters; the next- gets the other hind quarter, the next nearest gets
the choice of the fore-(|uarter; the tifth gets the other forequarter; and
the sixth got the lead bullets in the tree against which the shooting was
done. The judges stood near the tree, and when a man fired his rifle,
cried out : "Who shot?" The shooter gives his name, the record is made,
and so the shooting goes on until all have shot. The judges then take
all the lioards, and go off by themselves and decide what quarter each
man hHs won. It sometimes happened that a keen old scout would
capture three out of the four. There was no 'kicking,' however. Every
man took his medicine. No one was excluded from these matches unless
for improper conduct, or known trickery of some kind, barring him
from the society of gentlemen sportsmen.
Another form of target practice was to shoot at live turkeys. A
suitable box would be procured, a hole cut through the hoards of the
top side, the turkey victim's head was made to protrude through it for
a few inches, and the stipulated distance measured off; then shooting
would begin by the riflemen at 25 or 50 cents a shot, as agreed upon
beforehand. This was a very simple method, especially to the "crack
shots" and they were generally pretty well known; but it sometimes
happened that an "unknown" dark horse would appear, and everybody
was guessing — which always aroused more or less extra interest in the
contests. These shooting matches varied considerably as to the prizes
shot for. Once a man had the form of a deer chalked on a barn door,
with the vital parts of his anatomy indicated by spots. The fatal spot
"just back of the fore shoulder," was the "bull's eye" of this kind of
target ; the shots were ten cents and a bottle of whisky or a bunch of
cigars {two-fors usually) or any old thing that could be utilized by any
excuse at all, was "put up" for the prize. These "shoots" in the
country, at some popular tavern, or four-corner grocery, were produc-
tive of no end of fun, and not unseldom, more or less drunkenness.
Shipwreck and Legend of the "Favokite"
The shipwreck of the old schooner "Favorite," in the month of No-
vember, 1853, was one of the near-tragedies on the waters of Lake
Erie, in the neighborhood of Monroe. It was a matter of much interest
at the period of its occurrence, and during the aiibsequent sixty years,
the event has been the subject of more or less speculation. In fact, the
efforts that have been made at various times to locate the ill-fated vessel
and recover her valuable cargo have kept alive the interest and specu-
lations concerning her fate, far surpassing the attention which the
event aroused at the time.
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548 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTV
Tradition — and the story has become traditional— has it that the
fore and aft rigged schooner "Favorite," at the time of her clearance
from the port of Buffalo on her fatal voyage, was about ten years of age,
and considered a staunch enough vessel for the ordinary retiuirements
of the lake trade. She was owned by Captain Wilkie, of Buffalo, and
commanded by Captain Wheeler, a good sailor well known in Monroe
by those interested in the lake transportation. She left port about the
12th of November, with an assorted cargo of merchandise, consisting of
about 300 barrels of whisky consigned to Toledo, 100 barrels of apples,
a quantity of hardware including nearly one hundred stoves, and about
five tons of miscellaneous goods. Her destination was Perrysburg,
Ohio, on the Maumee river. Her late departure from Buffalo was
owing, partly, to delays of the consignors, and partly to the loss of some
of the crew who were opposed to undertaking a voyage on stormy Lake
Erie at that late date. Grave apprehensions were felt by others, also,
for the safety of the venture, but a crew was secured, and the danger
element ignored by the captain, and in spite of falling bA"0meter and
threatening skies, growing more threatening every hour, the start was
made.
When open water was reached, a snow storm greeted the adventurous
mariners — accompanied by a thirty-six mile gale; ice formed on deck
and rail, and the outlook was not promising; but the skipper kept a stiff
upper lip and held his course steadily towards the head of the lake. The
sailora were hardy fellows, and clung to their task bravely, so that at the
end of a week's buffeting in the high seas. Raisin Point, at the mouth of
River Raisin, was sighted, perhaps two miles distant from the present
lighthouse on the government piers. A gale was blowing, the waves
were rolling mountain high, and from the lookout it was plainly seen
that it was not a hospitable harbor of safety towards which they were
being driven, but a vast field of ice extending out from the shore a con-
siderable distance. Upon the unyielding mass of ice they were rushing
helplessly before tiie howling northeaster. As there seemed to be no way
of averting their inevitable fate, preparations were made for leaving the
vessel in her small boats, before she should strike. They were made none
too quickly, for the captain and erew speedily found themselves, scantily
supplied with provisions, upon the bridge of iee that stretched away
toward shore, and as they looked back they beheld the schooner pitch,
stern first, into the depths of Lake Erie. The shipwrecked crew made
their dangerous and difficult journey over the ice field, reaching the snow
covered shore half frozen. They could see in the distance, the chureii
steeples of Monroe as the sun was disappearing in the west, and in the
raging storm, shaped their course in that direction. There they were
kindly and hospitably eared for, and became the "lions of the hour."
Monroe was not very liberally supplied with hotels in those days,
either good or bad. The old "Exchange" had passed away in flames,
but the "United States" was there, and to this old hoptelry the wrecked
sailors were taken and cared for until they took their departure for their
several homes. It is not remembered what, if any, attempts were made
to recover the cargo at the time ; the market price of Monongahela Rye
whiskey was about l^Vs cents per gallon, stoves and hardware did not
appreciate in value after months' storage at the bottom of the lake, so
that there was not the same anxiety to incur heavy expense in recovering
the cargo that would prevail now, with the liquor alone constituting a
profitable treasure trove. Still, desultory efforts were later made co
find the lost cargo and save what was worth saving. It is believed that
during the heavy storms of that and succeeding winters the schooner
was broken up and the cargo scattered. But many, more hopeful and
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY ZA9
with money to back their optimism, at intervals, ihiring following years,
made determined yet ineffectual attempts to recover the lost merchan-
dise. In the meantime, the tax on whiskey advanced the price to a point
when it heeame a "favorite" speculation to hunt for the lost liquor.
Chicago parties have taken a hand and by the aid of judicious advertis-
ing, no doubt have sold more Favorite whisky than was on board the
schooner. Some years ago. Captain Ghapin, then living at the little
village of Brest, confidently entered into the quest, and spent consider-
able money therein, with iio other result than a narrow escape from
drowning himself, and the loss of his boats. Captain Hen Whitney,
another Monroe sailor, tackled the tough proposition, and with his small
schooner cruised over the supposed site of the wreck, all one season,
with a drawing apparatus, without results. During the war, when
whisky such as this might be, was selling at three or four dollars per
gallon. Captain Jones, of Monroe, employed divers and their apparatus
and made a thorough search with no better success. Finally, a man
living near Stony Point, who had achieved a reputation as a "seer,"
with "second sight" accomplishments was interviewed, and professed
to he able to locate the much sought treasure. He was aided by a magic
stone in the operation of his "mystic science," and succeeded in getting
a sum of money for what he proposed to do. But for some reason the
stone failed to "work," and the whisky still remains in the water or has
long ago furnished toddy for catfish.
Bkest and Newport
The rivalry between these two ambitious towns in their early expe-
rience of aspiration and expectation never to be requited by realization
of golden dreams, was something (luite fierce, and blazed forth at times
with great fervor. Brest, situated on Swan Creek, and Newport, on
Rock River or Stony Creek, (now called Oldport), being near the lake
on a creek partly navigable for very light draught boats, had each their
grand commercial luminary, and the man who furnished the "steam"
for the projects, which sprung up, mushroom-like in a night ; Brest had
its bank — with H. S. Piatt as financial manager, who was a very enter-
prising and a very optimistic man. when the future of Brest was con-
sidered. Newport had William White, proprietor of the "hotel," the
"Variety" store, postmaster, justice of the peace, notary public, pound
master and public utility man, generally, for the town was inclined to
"concede nothing and claim every thing." Mr. Piatt as agent of the
land company, inserted an advertisement in the Monroe Advocate in
the winter of 1837, of which historic incident we have the printer's
proof :
"Jobs To Let At Brest — The proprietors of the town of Brest wish
to contract for the erecting of a lai^e and spacious four story building
for a Public house, to be built on the most approved plan for convenience
and elegance. Said house to be built of wood, the size on the ground
to be in proportion to the height. Those wishing to take the job will
please furnish the subscriber at Monroe with a plan and cost of building
the same. The lumber and materials can all be obtained at Brest. Like-
wise to let, the building of a dwelling house, all materials furnished.
A plan will be given when called upon.
"H. S. Platt, Agent.
"Monroe, February 14, 1837.
"N. B. — Brick makers would do well to commence the manufacture
of brick at Brest, as good clay and sand can be obtained near together,
and a ready market for any quantity of brick."
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550 HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY
Not to be outdone by such evidences of thrift by Brest, Mr. "White, on
the following week, in the same paper, and directly underneath the
above, put forth the following eloquent "bluff:"
"Jobs To Let At Newport — The proprietor of the town of Newport
wishes to contract for the erection of a large and spacious fifteen story
building for a public house, to be built on the most approved plan for
convenience and elegance. Said house to be built of marble; the site
on the ground to be in proportion to the height. Those wishing to take
the Job will please furnish the subscriber with a plan and cost of building
the same. Also, to let, the building of twenty or thirty dwelling houses ;
all materials furnished, with a plan of each.
"Wm. White, Agent.
"Newport, March 28th, 1837."
This caused a hilarious demonstration at Brest, and Piatt saw the
point of the joke, as soon as anyone, and determined to show "Variety
White" that his appreciation was complete and willing to "acknowledge
the com." He therefore invited all the busine^ men in the village or
"City of Brest" to accompany him on a neighborly visit to his rival
the nest Saturday. The sleighing was good, and with a huge sleigh
filled with a jolly crowd and drawn by four fine horses, the visit was
made. White had gotten wind of the aSiair and prepared for it in his
most hospitable style. He opened a fresh barrel of his celebrated currant
wine, (celebrated over the country side as the most delicious and
"extraordinary beverage ever invented by man"), a judicious selection
of other refreshing liquids, fried cakes, gingerbread, and various other
eatables were bountifully prepared, and when the Brest visitors arrived,
there waa a great deal doing for a few ensuing hours. It was a great
occasion, and a very tactful procedure for Brest, for it healed up "sore
spots" and harmonized relations that were becoming exceedingly
strained. Today there is nothing to show that anything unpleasant ever
happened there, — not even the two villages themselves.
New Dublin and Waterloo
During the excavation of the government canal to improve the
harbor of Monroe, a large number of Irishmen were employed with
shovel and spade; some of these had families, and settled in the south
western portion of the city in the First ward ; as usual, it was not
difficult for boys of active minds with a keen sense of humor, to find a
sobriquet for this little settlement in Monroe, and by common consent,
"New Dublin" became the term by which it was familiarly known aud
is even to this day, although the applicability of the nickname ceased
long ago to be pertinent. Waterloo, another specially designated locality
in the eity, also in the First ward, has borne that name for so long a
period that even the oldest inhabitant fails to remember when or why
it was bestowed. The battle of Waterloo was fought and won in 1815
by the "Iron Duke;" that is a little too early a date to be considered a
reason for the bestowing of this historic name upon a section of wilder-
ness in Monroe county, and it does not seem probable that the French,
who were the principal inhabitants would under the circumstances, have
cared to perpetuate it. So the cause or circumstances suggesting the
designation remain in obscurity. A waterpower was developed on the
River Raisin at this point and a grist mill built and operated there for
many years, which is still running and manufacturing an excellent
quality of flour and other milling products; there was later established
a woolen mill owned and operated for many years by Thomas and John
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HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY 551
Norman, of Monroe, later by Redfield & Noble (Herman J. Redfield and
Henry Shaw Noble).
Incorfokated Villages (census op 1910)
Dundee — Township of Dundee. Population in 1910, 1,070; Incor-
porated, 1855.
May bee— Township of Exeter. Population in 1910, 310; Incorpor-
ated, 1899,
Milan^Partiy in Monroe countv, partly in "Washtenaw county.
Population in 1910, 1385; Incorporated, 1885.
Petersburgh — Township of Summertield. Population in 1910, 490;
Incorporated, 1869.
Carleton — Township of Ash. Incorporated, 1912.
PoyT-QPFICES AND PoST MASTERS OP THE CoUNTY
(Corrected up to April 24, 1912)
Azalia, township of Milan — Pred Noble, postmaster.
Carleton, township of Ash — C. B. Hermann, postmaster.
Cone, township of Milan.
Dundee, township of Dundee— Chas. Pulver, postmaster.
Erie, township of Erie — Geo. H, Drewior, postmaster.
Ida, township of Ida — Emma M. Snell, postmistress.
Lambertville, township of Bedford — H. L. Vanorman, postmaster,
Lasalle, township of Lasalle — John Bottimer, postmaster.
Lulu, township of Ida — Andrew Schultz, postmaster.
Maybee, township of Exeter— -Leonard Reiser, postmaster.
Monroe, eity of ilonroe — Chas E. Kirby, postmaster,
Newport, township of Berlin — A. E. Niedenneir, postmaster.
Ottawa Lake, township of "Whiteford — James A. White, postmaster.
Petersburg, township of Summerfield — Thomas Clark, postmaster.
Samaria, township of Bedford — Edward Harwick, postmaster.
Scofield, township of Exeter — Chas Angerer, Sr., postmaster.
South Roekw-ood, township of Berlin — G. Vreeland, pcstmaster.
Steiner, township of Frenchtown — W. G. Fiedler, postmaster.
Strasburg, township of Raisinville — A. W. Rau, postmaster.
Temperance, townsliip of Bedford— George R. Kinney, postmaster.
Population 1810-1910
In the year 1810, the population of Michigan territory was 4,528,
made up of 4,384 whites, 120 blacks and 24 slaves. At the end of the
decade, there were 9,048, composed of 8,874 whites and 174 blacks, no
slaves being included; by 1830, tlie population had reached 32,531,
divided as follows: whites, 32,242; blacks, 257; slaves, 32. The increase
during the following four years, (the census being taken in 1834, to
determine if the population had reached the number qualifying the
territory for admission into tlie union), was rapid; Monroe at that time
was the most populous county, outside of Wayne, Washtenaw and
Oakland, in the territory ; the figures in each being given as follows :
Wayne, 16,638; Washtenaw, 14,920; Monroe, 8,542; Oakland, 13,844.
The total in the state, 87,273. Frontier troubles and malicious reports
of the government agents in regard to the soil and climate of this portion
of the state had much to do in retarding its development. The entire
white population of the territory in 1800 was 551, in 1810 but 4,528, of
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